The Harbinger Issue 11 2022

the harbinger.

S H AW N E E M I S S I O N E A S T 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 FEBRUARY 18, 2022 VOLUME LXIV ISSUE 11

FREED

FROM FAITH Former private Catholic school students who now attend East recall the negative and sometimes traumatic memories of their old school and the difficult transition from private to public

02 INSIDE COVER

click for pics SIGNING DAY

S c a n t o v i e w t h e g a l l e r y f ro m s i g n i n g day on Feb. 9

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IB ENGLISH MAKES SUSHI

S c a n t o v i e w t h e g a l l e r y f ro m a j u n i o r I B E n g l i s h c l a s s a s t h ey m a d e s u s h i o n Feb. 8

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

S c a n t o v i e w t h e g a l l e r y f ro m t h e va r s i t y b a s ket b a l l g a m e a g a i n st L a w re n c e o n Feb. 8

FOLLOW THEHARBINGER SMEHARBINGER SMEHARBINGER

art by marissa liberda

staff list PRINT EDITORS Celia Condon Sydney Newton ONLINE EDITORS Sophie Henschel Campbell Wood ASST. PRINT EDITORS Peyton Moore Cesca Stamati ASST. ONLINE EDITORS Lyda Cosgrove Kate Heitmann HEAD COPY EDITOR Campbell Wood ASST. ONLINE EDITORS Caroline Wood Caroline Gould DESIGN EDITORS Nora Lynn Anna Mitchell PHOTO EDITORS Elise Madden Maggie Merckens ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Rachel Bingham Macy Crosser Hadley Chapman VIDEO EDITOR Maggie Klumpp PHOTO MENTORS Emily Pollock Grace Allen Lily Mantel Julia Fillmore Riley Eck

Charlotte Emley STAFF WRITERS Madeline Funkey Christian Gooley Mia Vogel Gibbs Morris Ben Bradley Katie Murphy Luke Beil Maggie Kissick Emma Krause Maggie Condon Hassan Sufi Addie Moore Tristan Chabanis Emmerson Winfrey Lucy Wolf Blakely Faulkner David Allegri Avery Anderson Aanya Bansal Grace Allen COPY EDITORS Caroline Wood Caroline Gould Greyson Imm Katie Murphy Anna Mitchell Sophie Lindberg Paige Zadoo EDITORIAL BOARD Sydney Newton Celia Condon Campbell Wood Sophie Henschel

photo by macy crosser

Peyton Moore Cesca Stamati Kate Heitmann Lyda Cosgrove Caroline Wood Madeline Funkey Nora Lynn Sophie Lindberg Greyson Imm Caroline Gould SECTION EDITORS EDITORIAL PRINT Madeline Funkey NEWS PRINT Caroline Gould ONLINE Luke Beil OPINION PRINT Sophie Lindberg ONLINE Maggie Kissick FEATURE PRINT Katie Murphy ONLINE Paige Zadoo A&E PRINT Caroline Wood ONLINE Mia Vogel SPORTS

PRINT Anna Mitchell ONLINE Ben Bradley PAGE DESIGNERS Katie Murphy Madeline Funkey Christian Gooley Bridget Connelly Luke Beil Emma Krause Marissa Liberda Greyson Imm Sophie Lindberg Maggie Condon Addie Moore Grace Demetriou Lucy Wolf Blakely Faulkner Ava Cooper Sofia Blades Elle Gedman David Allegri Maggie Kissick Gibbs Morris Paige Zadoo ART EDITOR Natalie Scholz ASST. ART EDITOR Nora Lynn STAFF ARTISTS Sophie Lindberg Bridget Connelly Marissa Liberda Mason Sajna

Grace Demetriou Sofia Blades Ava Cooper STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Audrey Condon Elle Siegel Jill Rice Kate Beaulieu Maggie Klumpp Sabrina Dean Tristen Porter Lilli Vottero Molly Miller Mason Sajna Rachel Condon Riley Scott Lydia Coe Claire Goettsch Caroline Martucci Seri Steinbrecher Liv Madden Clara Peters MJ Wolf VIDEO STAFF Abby Lee Jill Rice Lily Mantel PODCAST MENTORS Ben Bradley Emma Krause SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Celia Condon Sophie Henschel

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Mia Vogel Paige Zadoo SOCIAL MEDIA STAFF Madeline Funkey Campbell Wood Sydney Newton Grace Allen Sophie Lindberg Ben Bradley Peyton Moore Lyda Cosgrove Marissa Liberda Bridget Connelly Maggie Condon Lilli Vottero Molly Miller Addie Moore Grace Demetriou Lucy Wolf Ava Cooper Elle Gedman David Allegri Avery Anderson Maggie Kissick ADS MANAGER Greyson Imm CONTEST COORDINATOR Peyton Moore CIRCULATION MANAGERS Maggie Klumpp Julia Fillmore

EDITORIAL 03

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by madeline funkey art by mason sajna

INTO THE

The metaverse could lead society down a dark path, and people need to be aware of the possibilities it can create

T

METAVERSE

RIPS TO THE grocery store while sitting in your living room. Surfing tidal waves with friends in your suburban basement. Touring Paris from the comfort of your car.

These experiences could soon become a reality — all thanks to the metaverse, a virtual reality world that allows users to interact, work, shop and game. Meta (formerly Facebook) CEO Mark Zuckerberg calls the metaverse the “next evolution of social connection.”

Sounds great, right?

But not everyone’s as excited as Zuckerberg. Following the announcement of his plans to create the metaverse, concerns arose from users on Instagram and TikTok, who fear a completely immersive virtual reality like those of dystopian fictions where the metaverse will lead to an unhealthy desire to plug in to this new reality in order to escape real-world issues and an imbalance of power in the hands of money-hungry corporations.

Yes, the metaverse presents the concept of a shiny new reality, but we should be cautious since we can’t predict every real-life repercussion of this virtual “paradise.”

Most importantly, we should be aware of what this universe entails before ordering a $500 gleaming new VR headset, complete with over 250 games, Bluetooth connection and a not-so-far-away threat to society.

Living in an ideal world where someone can alter their appearance and personality — basically their whole identity — may sound appealing to a generation used to comparing themselves to others on social media. But what happens to the less fortunate who can’t afford to plug into this new reality? If we forget about real life and spend our days living in another world, then attempts to solve global issues like climate change and world hunger will become obsolete. In the face of the infinite possibilities of a virtual space, the unlucky realworlders will be left to fend for themselves.

As the world crumbles, we’ll be busy staring at shiny icons floating in the air through augmented reality or buying clothes at a virtual shopping mall instead of actually going outside. Real, unfiltered life will go extinct.

But pixels can’t replace reality.

F O R : 9 A GA I N ST : 1 The members of the editorial board who agree with the viewpoint of the editorial are represented by for, and those who disagree with the viewpoint are represented by against.

In an interview with The Verge, Zuckerberg boasted that his envisioned universe is about being “engaged more naturally” rather than spending more time online.

Naturally?

What’s natural about doing everything — school, work, socializing — while sitting in your bed with goggles on?

While we can already shop, text and play through our phones, doing these things through an avatar in a glossy, pixelated world will only further detach us from reality.

Then there are the privacy and security issues.

Platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Zoom have already been criticized for invading users’ privacy by collecting and selling their data. In a virtual world that people are supposed to do everything in, companies and hackers will have even more access to users’ information for advertisements, identity theft or some new form of cyber-related crime — it would be a whole new terrain for personal data theft.

We still haven’t fully uncovered the long-term effects of social media, which is just as fresh as our generation.

But, according to the Mayo Clinic, social media has led to increased suicides, lowered self esteem and more depression and anxiety symptoms in teens — all unexpected results of a handheld communication device.

No one could have predicted these trends.

Who knows what the consequences of an online universe will be?

We’re not ready. Maybe we never will be — but this new reality is coming whether our generation wants it or not.

Video games that now use AR and real-world simulations have made the budding metaverse a product marketed toward Gen Z and below — the ones who will actually have to deal with the potential dystopia left by middle-aged, greedy business owners.

We’ve seen aspects of the virtual realm through games like Roblox and Fortnite that have immersive gaming, virtual concerts and in-game currencies, but issues with these early metaverses are already apparent.

Roblox has been under fire in the past for allowing children to be exposed to violent and sexually-explicit

content despite their safety filters, according to Today.

Fortnite doesn’t block out profanity or racist slurs during live audio communication between players. It’s already difficult to regulate individual games like these, and not much stands between children and far worse content in an entire virtual universe.

On top of the issue of content filtering, the metaverse may amplify self-confidence issues already present in adolescents due to social media. Tweaking each feature and hand-selecting everything from a perfectly shaped nose to your eye color will only deepen the pressure for teens to conform to a certain beauty standard. If you thought the effects of today’s social media were bad, just wait to see what happens when steps to change your look go beyond Facetune and filters — we won’t even recognize each other anymore.

The ability for anyone to alter their appearance creates a new threat to children who don’t know better than to trust what they see online. Nothing would stop any adult from selecting a young appearance and preying on children — something many have overlooked in the frenzy for a new virtual existence.

Excited gamers and investors looking to make a fortune through a sprouting economic gold mine are already hooked onto the idea of the metaverse. But everyone needs to understand that they’re slowly detaching themselves from real-world problems and risking their privacy when they put on the black plastic goggles and download their brain into this “new life.”

We can’t just surrender to every product that big companies like Facebook markets to us.

When you’re fresh out of college or starting a new life, don’t jump right into the new metaverse that will likely exist by then. Think about the consequences 20 years down the road, when you see your kids with their eyes glossed over and mouth hanging open, stumbling around tables and chairs and kicking a soccer ball that isn’t there.

Don’t say we — or hundreds of sci-fi movies and books — didn’t warn you.

EDITORIAL P OL ICY The Harbinger is a student run publication. Published editorials express the views of the Harbinger staff. Signed columns published in the Harbinger express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quotes material may be confirmed with the sources. The Harbinger

encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content thought letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to room 413B or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.

04 NEWS

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THE INFLATION FACTS

IN

Catch up on school, local and national news

A comparison between the normal and present inflation rates

6.2 % CURRENT INFLATION RATE

1.5 % THE USUAL RATE

The storefront of Dolce, a local bakery that resides in The Prairie Village Shops.

PHOTO BY KATE BEAULIEU

EAST

LOCAL

NATIONAL

STUDENT COUNCIL IS hosting its annual trivia night on

DOLCE HAS OPENED its new addition in the Prairie

PRICE INFLATION IS at an all-time-high of the past

Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. Teams will consist of five students and one teacher sponsor who’ll also participate in answering trivia questions. The due date for submissions has passed.

Each team must pay an entry fee of $25, and the winning team will get $25 back as prize money while the rest of the funds raised will be donated to a charity of their choice.

The winners will be determined by who has the most tallies by the end of the night. Tallies are received for each question answered correctly, and the competition will go until the committee is out of the questions.

Special events committee leader sophomore Ira Finkelston has been working overtime to plan the night, meeting with the rest of the committee during seminar to plan for the event. The group of nine StuCo members are in charge of coming up with 10 categories, and writing out 10 questions for each category.

Categories for the night include movies with a bad plot explanation, Nickelodeon shows, video games, sports and more.

Each question will be either open ended or multiple choice, with four options.

The committee members will work the admissions booth, retrieving the entry fees. Finkelston, sophomore committee member Hailey Shipley and senior committee member Charlie Harmon will rotate asking the questions on the microphone.

Finkelston says the event is for the “whole school” and hopes it will get the student body engaged, and is excited to show off their trivial skills, while giving back to a good cause.

Village Shops called “The Space” where clients can hold events from baby showers to birthdays to microweddings.

“The Space” is replacing the former Health House — a spacious location with added storage and additional kitchen space. Pricing will differ based on the day and time of reservation — weekdays will cost around $100 an hour, with weekends closer to $300 an hour due to increased demand.

“The Space” provides amenities including tables and chairs for up to 50 people, a projector and two private restrooms, according to the Dolce website.

Clients are given a timed rental code in order to access the space during their allotted hour to set up before their event and 30 minutes to clean up following their rental time. “The Space” employees won’t be on site during the event but will be available to take calls with any questions.

Senior Willa Battey has worked at Dolce for roughly two years and is ready for the space upgrade, noting the crammed space at Dolce during busy seasons, like the holidays.

“Christmas last year, we rented out the shop across the street while it was still a vacant space,” Batey said.

The new workspace will provide Dolce with extended storage, space and kitchen amenities including an oversized fridge.

three decades, with prices going up at a rapid pace.

Over the past year, prices of all areas of products have increased to 6.2%, according to ABCnews.com.

“The current high is a temporary spike,” economics teacher Robert Bickers said. “In the US, we usually look at inflation of one and a half to two percent a year as normal. It’s this thing we call the wage price spiral, where increased wages drive up prices.”

The current inflation is a mix of the normal growth and consequences of COVID-19, as people are now getting back to spending money on some of the products, like trips etc., that they weren’t able to during the pandemic.

by ma g g ie con d on

STUCO is hosting its annual Trivia Night event February 23

Dolce Bakery in Praire Village is opening a new event space

America’s inflation rate is the highest it has been in three decades

T H E C U R R E N T H I G H i s a t e m p o ra r y s p i ke . I n t h e U S , w e u s u a l ly l o o k a t i nf l a t i o n of o n e a n d a h a lf t o t w o p e rc e nt a ye a r a s n o r m a l .

ROBERT BICKERS ECONOMICS TEACHER Another cause of this is the government increasing money availability by printing more money rapidly.

All products are affected by price inflation, according to Bickers, who predicts that the increase will continue to go up, but the pace will most likely slow down after the current spike of price inflation.

NEWS 05

FEBRUARY 18, 2022

design by blakely faulkner art by sophie linberg

TO

KICKIN’ IT

KC

UNITED WE STAND Cities that are competing for host city spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Kansas City is bidding to be one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

by kate h eitman n

K

ANSAS CITY IS one of 17 cities bidding for 10 host U.S. cities’ spots to host 3-4 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Canada, the United States and Mexico, making it the first world cup to be hosted by three countries. 48 teams will compete in 80 matches — the highest number of teams to ever compete in the World Cup. “The opportunity for Kansas City to be able to host the biggest sporting event in the world is just incredible,”KC2026 executive bid director Katherine Fox said. “We’re a sports town. We’re a huge soccer town. We’re a big football town. When we were contemplating throwing our hat in the ring for this event, we needed to kind of decide if we, as a community, could support the execution of the event, and the answer was yes.”

Currently, KC2026 is communicating with FIFA and revising their proposal to send off to the soccer association by the end of February after being asked to adjust a few details. FIFA will announce the final cities by the end of June at the latest, taking into account the existing stadiums, facilities and enthusiasm for soccer that Kansas City shows.

Kansas City plans to hold the soccer matches at Arrowhead Stadium. According to Fox, utilizing an existing stadium is beneficial to the city as the investment costs would be less, leading to a higher economic impact.

Additionally, the training facilities of Kansas City sports teams, such as the Kansas City Current, will be utilized for teams competing in the matches.

If Kansas City were to be selected, KC2026 would host “Fan Fest,” a large event that takes place throughout the World Cup in each host city featuring food trucks, vendors, family activities and screens to watch the games on.

It will be hosted on either the Liberty Memorial Lawn or at the Nelson-Atkins Donald J. Hall Sculpture park lawn.

“If you weren’t going out to Arrowhead to watch a game, you could go to Fan Fest and

watch the game there with all your 10’s of 1000’s of friends,” Fox said. “Or if there wasn’t a game in Kansas City at the time, you would go to Fan Fest and watch the game being played in another market somewhere else. It’s a big party.”

In October 2021, a delegation of 25 FIFA officials visited Kansas City for one day, where they attended meetings with board members and had lunch in the Power and Light district, before splitting off into small groups to tour the city. The different groups looked at the proposed Fan Fest sites, Arrowhead Stadium, training facilities and more, ending the day watching a Kansas City Current soccer game at Children’s Mercy Park.

T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y F O R Ka n s a s C i t y t o b e a b l e t o h o st t h e b i g g e st s p o r t i n g eve nt i n t h e w o r l d i s j u st i n c re d i b l e . We ’ re a s p o r t s t o w n . We ’ re a h u g e s o c c e r t o w n . We ’ re a b i g fo ot b a l l town.

KATHERINE FOX KC2026 EXECUTIVE BID DIRECTOR

“With an international sports property, it’s probably safe to assume that they’ve spent some time in New York City or Los Angeles or even Dallas or San Francisco because those are traditionally perceived to be more international cities than Kansas City,” Fox said. “They didn’t really know what to expect. It was critically important that we execute a really great site visit for them. All of us who live here know how great it is and how it’s such a hidden gem that anybody who visits, loves it. We needed to harness that energy and showcase that for FIFA, which I think we did really well.”

Nashville, another bidding city, has estimated that if they were to host the World Cup, then the city would see a $695 million dollar benefit to the economy, regarding visitor spending, operations and revamping infrastructure. Operations would involve

creating new jobs for workers in the stadiums and infrastructure could involve economic savings made b y improving existing infrastructure. KC2026 is estimating Kansas City would feel a similar effect based on these estimates.

“From hotels, to restaurants, to retail, every category of business will benefit in a significant way from the World Cup,” East parent and KC2026 executive board member Chris Long said.

In addition to the economic advantages, hosting World Cup matches in Kansas City could boost the city’s soccer program participation — an effect that occurred 20 years ago when the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, according to East soccer coach James Kelly.

“When the World Cup was here back in ‘94, soccer took off,” Kelly said. “It really kind of started to where we are now.”

According to the MLS Players Union and the National Federation of State High School Associations, MLS games have seen an increase of 16% in attendance per game since their establishment in 1996, just two years after the United States hosted the World Cup. Since 2003, high school soccer participation has increased over 31%.

In addition to this, the matches could have a meaningful impact on the East community.

Kelly remembers watching the 1994 World Cup and is considering gathering the boys and girls soccer team to have a team watch party for the tournament.

“As a poor high school kid, I couldn’t really go to any of the games,” Kelly said. “Now that I’ve got a job, I’ll definitely be going to one of the games.”

For Long and Fox, being able to bring the excitement of the “largest single sporting event in the world” is immense.

‘94

HOSTS

The host cities and some facts about the 1994 World Cup, hosted in North America

PASADENA, CA. CHICAGO, IL. DALLAS, TX. NEW YORK, NY. ORLANDO, FL. PALO ALTO, CA. WASHINGTON D.C. SILVERDOME. MI. FOXBORO, MA.

24 TEAMS 141 GOALS 52 MATCHES

3,597,042

ATTENDEES

THE HARBINGER

06 NEWS

design by grace demetriou art by tallie sholtz

WHAT A

September 2024 — which is also The district the deadline for has received schools to use the money. a grant to be For the used towards ESSER II funds, SMSD plans to COVID-19 use $2.3 million recovery of the money for $600 retention bonuses to all district employees who returned for this school year. They’re planning to put the remaining funds towards technology needs, new hires and school-type specific budgets. For high schools, they’ve purchased programs like Educastic, Delta Math and PLC Institute and plan to purchase mental health professional learning and ELA intervention materials. “[Health and wellbeing support] is a major issue, it is something that we spend a lot of our time working with here,” Principal Jason Peres said. “We do have two social workers on our counseling staff and then our teachers are all trained and we kind of all together wrap our arms around kids from a health and wellbeing standpoint.”

In addition to the goals of ESSER I and II, grants to school districts from ESSER III are required to have 20% of the grant go towards learning loss from COVID-19. This entails programs such as summer learning and enrichment, comprehensive after-school programs and extended school year programs.

“At the end of the day, for your given district, whichever sub-group that was the most impacted by the pandemic...[should be] at least for that 20%, really laser [focused] on supporting those special populations using evidence-based supports,” Zijac said.

Other than the one requirement of learning recovery, all schools in

RELIEF... by caroline wood SMSD’S PLAN TO spend a $10.5 million grant from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act on educational technology, mental health services, addressing learning loss and other activities to maintain school board operations and services was approved by the Kansas State Department of Education earlier this month.

At the start of the pandemic, the Department of Education set up Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief — funds to help school districts recover from COVID-19 — through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. With each round of funding, districts will receive a grant, with the amount depending on their population, poverty levels and minimum threshold. Then, the district needs to fill out an approval form on where they will allocate the money and send it off to KSDE before they can spend it. There have been three installments of ESSER — the grant just approved for SMSD being the ESSER II. “It’s fair to say that every single school district in the country was impacted differently,” ESSER task member and Coordinator for State and Federal Programs Dean Zijac said. “Even within school districts, students were impacted differently, there are pockets of individuals that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic throughout the country

and the size of those pockets may vary from district to district... but the pandemic just had an impact throughout the country on learning.”

[ H E A LT H A N D W E L L BEING support] is a maj o r i s s u e , i t i s s o m et h i n g that we spend a l o t of o u r t i m e working with h e re .

JASON PERES PRINCIPLE For ESSER I, SMSD received $2,640,674 which went towards improving ventilation systems, internet hot spots, laptops and learning management systems, and ESSER III came out granting the district $23.7 million but is deciding on where to use the new funds.

In February of 2020, KSDE put together a task force — composed of 19 superintendents, legislators, teachers, school board members and business managers — to provide and assist schools in using the funds towards supporting student learning and needs associated with the pandemic.

ESSER I came out in March 2020 to prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19, and has since been followed up with ESSER II to continue with that objective as well as hire new staff and avoid layoffs. The task force plans to remain assembled until

Kansas were sent a spreadsheet of 15 potential areas that the money could be used towards to decide where they needed funding and how much — to be sent to the state in the application.

60 of the 286 have submitted their applications, and SMSD is currently halfway through submitting their ESSER III application.

“We’re just beginning to review all of those, and as we review them they go to the board and get awarded out,” Zijac said. “As of now, we’re really only starting to get the ESSER III applications in. It’s open and districts can submit them as they’re ready, but because so many districts are really just now getting into their ESSER II funding, in terms of really spending it, I think that’s partially why there isn’t a big rush, from the district perspective, to get these applications turned into us because they’re still working through ESSER II.” To decide on which areas to put the unallocated money from ESSER III, the district sent out a ThoughtExchange survey in December to parents, students, staff and community members to get their feedback. From the 2,000 survey responses, they found that the top concerns for the different populations were reducing class size for parents, mental health for students and retention payment for district employees and community members.

SMSD sent in the first half of their plan for the money to the task force for approval earlier this month and are finalizing the second half to be sent in.

“School districts and just schools in general need funding to operate,” Peres said. “So, just like any business, we need to be able to bring in resources and people to serve students and that’s just not possible unless you get things like ESSER funding from the federal government to boost what we’re currently doing to support students better.”

SPREAD

IT OUT

Where the money from the grant is being allocated

MENTAL HEALTH

SERVICES &

SUPPORTS:

$572,000 ADDRESSING

LEARNING LOSS

AMONG

STUDENTS: $7,241,500 MAINTAINING LEA OPERATIONS

& STAFF: $2,300,500

PURCHASING

ADDITIONAL

TECHNOLOGY:

$450,462

TOTAL: $10,564,463

NEWS 07

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by mia vogel photos by riley scott

TO MASK OR

by david allegri

T

HE SMSD BOARD of Education voted

to return to the 3% rule — where masks will be optional when less than 3% of the school is out with COVID-19— at their meeting on Feb. 14.

East COVID-19 cases have been under the 3% limit for the past two weeks, so masks will become optional on Feb. 16, as stated in the board meeting. Beyond the school itself, COVID-19 cases have dropped drastically in Johnson County, with 438 positive cases out of 100,000 people — giving the district pretenses to move away from mandatory masking.

The first attempt to move to optional masking occurred on Jan. 5 — the first day back from winter break. However, after the first day, masks were required again, with case numbers passing 8% within the week.

As of now, the district’s main goal is to keep students in school, whether masked or not.

“We prioritize keeping students safe and in school,” Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard said in a letter to parents on Dec. 31.

Associate Principal Dr. Susan Leonard believes that East is able to go to maskoptional due to significant drop in the rate of cases amongst East’s students “We have really not seen significant impacts to our attendance [due to COVID-19],” Dr. Leonard said. “We had that kind of surge, and we panicked. But we are not struggling like we were.”

According to the Johnson County Health Department, the COVID-19 Omicron surge is at a more controllable level.

Apart from the district, Prairie Village and Roeland Park have decided to extend their mask mandates until March 16. This is due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the cities.

According to a study conducted

by Kaiser Family Foundation, 75% of

SMSD changed the mask policy from mandatory to optional for all middle and high schools, active since Feb. 16

NOT TO MASK

Americans feel tired of having to live in the state of a pandemic. A survey conducted by Monmouth University reported that 70% of Americans agree with the statement: “It’s time we accept that COVID is here to stay, and we need to get on with our lives.”

Politicians are also wanting to get rid of masks. The first state to get rid of mask mandates was New Jersey on Feb. 6, which started a trend in other states. Since then, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Oregon and New York have revoked their mask mandates.

The Johnson County area has an average of 336 new cases each day with 59% of the residents are vaccinated, according to Mayo Clinic. In an Instagram poll of 345 students, 91% said they’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine.

SCAN ME • RECAP Scan here to view the r e c a p o f t h e S M S D ’s February 14 meeting regarding the mask mandate

In an Instagram poll of 330 East students, 48% believe that masks shouldn’t be required.

Sophomore Eve Benditt disagrees with the lifting of the mask mandate because she thinks it puts students at risk of contracting COVID-19.

“I think that until we get our case rate below 3%, which is the threshold that the district set, I don’t think that we be mask free,” Benditt said. “I think it’s proven to be effective. I mean, there’s countless studies on why masks work.”

According to statistics from the KCDHE, there was an increase in absences due to COVID-19 cases because of the district’s mask optional policies in January.

Chemistry teacher Susan Hallstrom also believes masks should be required to protect students who can’t get the vaccine due to health reasons or with auto-immune disorders.

“So this kid has cancer and can’t get [the vaccine],” Hallstrom said. “It’s even more important that we wear masks for her.”

Sophomore John Mendy believes that masks shouldn’t be required.

“I think that one of the big things about masks is that a lot of people at the school are vaccinated. [A mask is] not something we’re gonna wear during PE,” Mendy said.

“You’ve been exposed to maybe 50 other kids, and then you’re going throughout the rest of your day where you’re going to be around another 100, 150 to 200 kids.”

However, Mendy believes that masks become ineffective when you are around so many people, constantly getting exposed.

He also believes that enough kids at East are vaccinated so they don’t need to be worn.

“I think that one of the big things about masks is that a lot of people at the school are vaccinated,” Mendy said. “So I don’t really think that it should be a requirement.”

Still, the CDC recommends that everyone continues to wear masks. Even for those who are vaccinated, masks can make the wearer more than 70% likely to not contract COVID-19 when exposed.

The district guidelines are not based on opinion but on facts and case statistics, according to David Smith, Chief Communications Officer at SMSD. “The district does not have an ‘opinion’ on masks,” Smith said. “Whether to continue the mask mandate or not in our schools is a board of education decision.”

[A MASK IS ] n ot s o m et h i n g w e ’ re g o n n a w e a r d u r i n g P E . . . yo u ’ ve b e e n ex p o s e d to, maybe 50 ot h e r k i d s , a n d t h e n yo u ’ re g o i n g t h ro u g h o u t t h e re st of yo u r d a y w h e re yo u ’ re g o i n g t o b e a ro u n d a n ot h e r 1 0 0 150 to 200 kids.

JOHN MENDY SOPHOMORE I T H I N K T H AT u nt i l w e g et o u r c a s e ra t e b e l o w 3% which is the t h re s h o l d t h a t t h e d i s t r i c t s et , I don’t think that should we be m a s k f re e .

EVE BENDITT SOPHOMORE

SMSD’S CURRENT COVID-19 CASES *As of Feb. 14, according to smsd.org

STAFF: 17 STUDENTS: 134

08 OPINION

THE HARBINGER

design by sophie lindberg

OPINION

HIGHLIGHTS A look into student opinions and the opinion section

T HIS IS S UE IN O PINION

A word search with references to this issue’s opinion articles

KEY: MENTAL HEALTH AUTHENTICITY MONEY CELLPHONE

T HIS WEE K I N T WE E T S

Opinionated tweets from this week

I F K I M W E N T A B O U T H A R A S S I N G A N D B U L LY I N G J U L I A F OX T H E WAY H E ’ S D O I N G W I T H P E T E , O R WA S O N H E R 4 T H B OY F R I E N D S I N C E H E R S E PA R AT I O N , O R M A D E A S O N G W I T H S O M E O N E W H O P U B L I C LY S E X S H A M E D H E R H U S B A N D, Y ’ A L L WO U L D N ’ T H AV E T H I S E N E R G Y. AT P B E I N G A K A N Y E S TA N I S A M O R A L D E F I C I E N C Y. S H A M E

ULOMA

2/14/22

S H A ’ C A R R I R I C H A R D S O N WA S P RO H I B I T E D F RO M C O M P E T I N G AT O LY M P I C S D U E TO O U T- O F - C O M P E T I T I O N P O S I T I V E O F D R U G U N R E L AT E D TO S P O RT P E R F O R M A N C E . K A M I L A VA L I E VA I S B E I N G A L L OW E D TO C O M P E T E AT O LY M P I C S A LT H O U G H S H E H A D I N - C O M P E T I T I O N P O S I T I V E D R U G C L E A R LY R E L AT E D TO S P O RT PERFORMANCE.

NEAL ROGERS

2/14/22

SUCCESS

THIS IS A BFD T R U M P ’ S AC C O U N T I N G F I R M M A Z A R S J U S T F I R E D H I M A N D S A I D T H AT A D E C A D E O F H I S F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S “ C A N N O L O N G E R B E R E L I E D UPON” T H E Y I M P L I E D T H AT T R U M P L I E D TO T H E M F O R 1 0 Y E A R S W E A L L K N OW T R U M P I S A PAT H O L O G I C A L L I A R B U T M A Z A R S S H O U L D B E H E L D AC C O U N TA B L E TO O

TIME MANAGEMENT

LINDY LI

SOCIAL MEDIA SCHOOL ALONE TIME

TUTOR HAPPINESS

2/14/22

ST U DEN T TAKE S

East students’ thoughts relating to this issue’s opinion section DO YOU EQUATE BEING BUSY TO SUCCESS, EVEN SUBCONSCIOUSLY? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l of 1 4 3 vo t e s

H A R BINGER HEAD-TO -HEA D C HEESE STICK OR STRIN G CH EES E BR ID G E T C O N N E L LY A CHEESE STICK AND STRING CHEESE ARE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS. A CHEESE STICK IS LIKE A BRICK OF CHEESE AND THEN A STRING CHEESE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU PULL APART TO EAT. IF YOU BITE INTO A STRING CHEESE, YOU CAN FEEL THE STRINGINESS IN YOUR MOUTH.

NO R A LY N N I CALL IT CHEESE STICK BECAUSE GROWING UP, I HAVE SEEN MY BROTHER STICK THE ENTIRE THING IN HIS MOUTH AT ONCE, AND THEN CHEW IT UP AND SWALLOW IT. AND HE STILL DOES. us on social media to T A K E O U R P O L L S Follow participate in the polls @smeharbinger

@smeharbinger

@smeharbie

YES

78%

NO

22%

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DO PEOPLE WITH MORE MONEY HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY THAN THOSE WITH LESS MONEY IN HIGH SCHOOL? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l of 1 7 2 vo t e s

YES

84%

NO

16%

DO YOU THINK SOCIAL MEDIA HAS HAD A NEGATIVE OF POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AS A PERSON? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l of 1 5 8 vo t e s

YES

72%

NO

28%

OPINION 09

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 design by lyda cosgrove photo by emily pollock

THE PRICE

OF AN Students shouldn’t have to pay for tutors in order to succeed in or pass difficult classes

by luke beil T’S MONDAY. YOU’VE only been in

I

school less than 7 hours, and you already have three hours of homework from your AP issues. And the homework is only beginning.

AP classes provide students with mass amounts of homework and study loads for exams and quizzes. To make this workload bearable, some families hire private tutors — but not everyone can afford.

The price for a tutor ranges anywhere from $15 to $100 an hour, depending on the type of tutoring needed. Middle class families can afford this, but but it creates an unfair disadvantage for lower income families who can’t afford a tutor, since they aren’t getting the extra opportunity to receive help.

A student who can afford homework help has security coming home knowing that the night’s homework is a battle they can tackle with a tutor, not alone. A lower-income student has to manage finding another way to get help from their teacher, who may not always be available before and after school.

The most common classes that require outside help from a tutor are math and

science courses, according to hiclark.com.

Teachers of these high-level classes should set aside more time in class to engage with students that need help, rather than expecting their students to understand quickly taught topics. This leaves them to stare blankly at a 20-problem worksheet for an hour before their next class.

F I N A N C I A L S TA B I L I T Y a l l o w s s t u d e n t s w h o c a n a f fo rd t u t o rs to get ahead in a certain class w h i l e c h i l d re n of l o w e r i n c o m e fa m i l i e s , w h o m a y e q u a l ly n e e d a t u t o r , fa l l b e h i n d .

Teachers also find themselves in a dilemma when every student doesn’t learn at the same pace. When half of the class understands a topic and the other half is lost, mean testing scores will decline. This leaves the teacher with a tough decision to either move on with half of the class confused, or review a topic that would leave the other half of the class bored and

inattentive.

Sudents with low income are five times more likely to drop out of high school than those who are more affluent, according to InsightintoDiversity.com. This can be due to the fact that students in low income households can face challenges like taking time to help around their household and even having to support their family by getting a job — things that middle-class students are less likely to face. This leaves little time to get help with a tutor outside of class.

By providing more opportunities for students, lower income homes would have more opportunities to get homework help.

For example, East for Excellence has been a tutoring source for many students at East, but is only offered twice a week, which isn’t an adequate amount of time for all students to get help.

Some teachers may argue that if seminar is used to its full potential, students wouldn’t have this problem. They could also say that students spend seminar time messing around or leaving the class when they could

be working. However, more students would get help if seminar was every day, and as a real class with teachers monitoring students at all times.

This type of school system is being implemented in Germany. Their normal school day goes through all the classes like in the U.S. ends at 12:30 p.m., leaving the rest of the afternoon for clubs and activities — and most importantly, homework-related workshops led by professionally-trained educators.

By implementing homework workshops everyday in school and having free time at the end of all seven classes like schools in Germany, students could have the chance to drastically increase their own success.

The help students need should be through school — not their family’s financial means.

It all comes down to making changes in the school system and classrooms. The public school system is supposed to create equal opportunity for all students. We shouldn’t have a student’s financial situation dictate whether they get the luxury of a private tutor to help them succeed.

BREAKING DOWN THE BUCKS

Tutoring statistics in the U.S.

42% of students said they’ve had a tutor for a class at East at some point, according to an Instagram poll of 227 votes

$25-80

is the average hourly cost range for a tutor, depending on the subject according to tutors.com

2 HOURS

is the recommended amount of tutoring time per week, according to schoolsuccess.ca.

MATH, ENGLISH,CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND BIOLOGY are the most common subjects requiring tutoring according to firsttutors.com

10 OPINION

THE HARBINGER

design by caroline gould photo by elle siegel

STUNTED SENSE

OF SELF

Algorithms on social media create “filter bubbles” which prevent users from being exposed to information that goes against their opinions, stunting self-growth

by madeline funkey

W

HILE HANDING ME my first phone in sixth

grade, my parents gave me an ultimatum: “Don’t believe everything you read and see on the Internet.” I didn’t realize the magnitude of that redundant phrase until I saw how tailored the Internet and social media are to users’ interests.

Content filtering may sound like a good thing considering you don’t have to weave in and out of the pictures and videos you’re not drawn to, but it also traps you in a filter bubble — a term coined

by Internet activist Eli Pariser in 2010 — which is the idea that we live in a state of “intellectual isolation” due to filters and algorithms on social media and the Internet that only show us specific content based on location, search history and what we interact with on our phones.

This bubble isolates you from other cultural and ideological viewpoints, resulting in a narrow outlook and a closed mindset to ideas outside of your filters — and it’s toxic and restricting. When the Internet is only feeding people what they’re interested in, it ultimately stunts the growth of finding your own authentic identity.

fil ter

bu bble

w e l i ve i n a s t a t e of “ i nt e l l e c t u a l i s o l a t i o n ” d u e t o f i lt e r s a n d a l g o r i t h m s o n s o c i a l m e d i a a n d t h e I n t e r n e t t h a t o n ly s h o w u s s p e c i f i c c o nt e nt b a s e d o n l o c a t i o n , s e a rc h h i s t o r y a n d w h a t yo u i n t e ra c t w i t h o n yo u r p h o n e .

Platforms like TikTok base the videos on your feed on what you search, like, share and comment on so we end up only seeing content that is catered

SOCIALS USING ALGORITHMS

toward our own likes, beliefs and opinions. This explains why my ForYou Page is full of “healthy day-in-the-life” videos and trendy fashion advice because they’re what I interact with the most. Then again, this causes me to only see ideal lifestyles rather than the flaws that people hide from social media. These filters trick me into thinking I have to emulate these influencers and strive for perfection.

This algorithm is almost unavoidable. It’s built into countless apps, websites and search engines, from Google to Facebook to Twitter. However, avoiding the algorithm gatekeepers of the Internet is difficult, but not impossible. Private search engines and actively seeking out opposite stands are ways to slowly pop your cozy bubble.

Democracy requires everyone to be equally informed. However, filter bubbles distort our ideas and opinions — down to the way we perceive the world. Biased search rankings can shift the voting preferences of undecided voters by 20% or more, according to a paper by Jacob N. Shapiro for Princeton University. The manipulation of these search engine companies can influence the results of a substantial number of elections with impunity.

The chokehold this ideological frame has on people is causing the full story of most scenarios to not be heard or seen. Confirmation bias — choosing to see what you want to see because they support your opinions — ties into how people look for information that supports their cause rather than contradicting it. Being separated from conflicting opinions keeps us from potentially discovering

Google

Twitter

These platforms’ algorithms cater content toward the user’s beliefs, leading to the “filter bubble”

information, opinions and ideas we may never have imagined.

A social media site may hide posts from people with different viewpoints or a news site may link articles that you think you’ll agree with based solely on your filter bubble. The algorithm doesn’t ask for permission or tell you what information they’re hiding from you. It’s present in every corner of the Internet.

T H I S B U B B L E I S O L AT E S yo u f ro m ot h e r c u lt u ra l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l v i e w p o i nt s , re s u lt i n g i n a n a r ro w outlook and a closed minds et t o i d e a s o u t s i d e of yo u r f i lt e rs — a n d i t ’s t ox i c a n d re st r i c t i n g .

When people are led to think they have the full story on a specific topic, they can’t make an educated judgment or discuss facts with a fully informed view.

Seeking out new sources and perspectives is key to creating your own opinion that isn’t biased towards the bubble you’ve been placed in. The next time you’re scrolling through social media, remember that you’re only seeing one side of the story.

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by gibbs moris

IN THE

POSSIBILITY POLITICS

OPINION 11

People shouldn’t discourage teens from getting involved and voicing political opinions as they’ll face the future repercussions of today’s politics

by marissa liberda

“

YOU’RE YOUNG, YOU don’t have to worry,” my grandma said during our Sunday night family dinner.

It was three days after the 2020 presidential election. I was discussing Joe Biden’s election with my family, the conversation quickly switching from light-hearted small talk to a lecture on why I shouldn’t care about politics at my age.

“Why do you worry so much? Stop acting like you know everything, your opinion doesn’t really matter.” — I was expressing my opinion on why a new president wasn’t such a bad thing. My family, though, disagreed.

I quickly shut up, picking at my spaghetti with my fork and suppressing my opinions for the rest of the discussion.

Those words needled their way into my thoughts, keeping me awake for several nights. In hindsight, I should’ve advocated for my right to believe in something more important and bigger than myself — something I deserved a say in, even though I was only 14.

Recently, there has been a lot of stigma around teens learning about politics. Scrolling on my phone, I see countless videos of adults bashing teenagers for speaking up. No one should be hated for having an opinion — no matter how much you disagree.

Too often, when I ask friends what they think about education issues or poverty, they respond saying “I don’t care about politics” or “it doesn’t matter to me.” Many teens think it’s weird to be so invested in the country’s future. Little do they know, the decisions that are made now have a huge impact on how the country functions and how the current generation will leave it for us.

Although many young adults and teenagers believe their parents’ opinions instead of forming their own, politics stretch farther than dinner table discussion — your family isn’t the only one living here with opinions. Teens shouldn’t be discouraged from voicing their political opinions, especially on issues like climate related risks and financial inclusion that directly affect us.

Since I was eight, my curiosity for politics has led me to watch press conferences and news reports on my living room TV while eating lunch or playing with my stuffed animals. I wish I could say that my family sparked this interest, but politics wasn’t a prioritized dinner conversation.

Actually, my family looked down on anything

related to the government or Barack Obama — who I idolized at the time.

Despite their sentiments that I was too young for such topics, I wanted to know what was happening in my country. I Googled each presidential candidate, learning the pros and cons of their promised policies.

Even though I didn’t fully understand prevalent issues like stimulus checks and Obamacare, I did my best to educate myself. There was never anyone who knew, or cared enough, to talk to me about these things — they thought I should be playing with Barbies instead. Despite my age, I still believed it was somewhat important for me to have just a small clue. With this new-found education, I stood in dissent for issues I had recently found to exist. Although this was discouraging, I believe that I truly benefited from this defeat. I learned how important the candidates we elect are and how they can truly impact everyone.

GEN Z HAS been labeled as the m o st a c c e pt i n g a n d p ro g re s s i ve g e n e ra t i o n i n h i st o r y , a c c o rd i n g t o p e w re s e a rc h . o rg . A s t h e o n e s w h o h a ve t o d e a l w i t h c l i m a t e c h a n g e a n d s o c i a l i s s u e s l ef t b e h i n d by o l d e r g e n e ra t i o n s , w e h o l d t h e c o u nt r y ’s f u t u re i n o u r h a n d s .

At 16 years old, my passion for politics has only grown. I know that one day, topics like climate change and healthcare will affect me, so I should have a voice in them too. Every teen should.

Voting and advocating for change — whether it’s in your community or the country — is key to the transition into adulthood. High schoolers are at most five years from being able to vote, and some already can. Learning about politics early on gives teens a grasp of relevant issues that makes them more educated voters.

Gen Z has been labeled as the most accepting and progressive generation in history, according to pewresearch.org. As the ones who have to deal with the issues left behind by older generations, we hold the country’s future in our hands.

Voting and advocating change are important because it gives citizens a chance to choose their government leaders, an opportunity to voice

opinions on past performance of officials and express opinions on public issues.

I t ’ s important to vote and be a part of creating change and fixing problems in America, ones that older politicians refuse to. Electing politicians to represent our generation can only happen if more of the youth vote — meaning more teens need to be politically literate by the time they turn 18. This can only happen if we include teens in political discussions, whether it be at the dinner table or during a car ride.

The number of 18-24 year olds who reported voting in presidential elections decreased from 50% to 39% from 1972 to 2020, according to childtrends.org. This is a problem — one we need to work towards fixing now. Schools and parents should set a standard by emphasizing the importance of educating oneself about politics.

You don’t need to scour dozens of textbooks and articles, and definitely don’t need to become the next senator, governor or president if you don’t want to. You should, however, educate yourself to have a general view of politics. It’s OK to have a political opinion as a teenager — you have a voice, too.

In fact, in today’s society, it has become even easier to become educated than nearly a decade ago.

Teenagers are the future of this country, and soon, most of us will be able to vote — it’s our job to shape America into the country we want it to be, and to fix the injustices occurring now for the future generations. There’s so much change to be made, and the statement “I don’t care about politics” isn’t acceptable in the 21st century.

12

OPINION

FEBRUARY 18, 2022

SLOW DOWN TO

design by ava cooper photos by hadley chapman

SPEED UP

Taking time for yourself and slowing down is important for your mental health and well-being, and it doesn’t make you any less successful by sydney newton USED TO like being known as “the busy girl.”

My sophomore year of high school, I was bouncing between volleyball and lacrosse training, then throwing my dirt-stained cleats in my overstuffed backpack and spending the rest of my night nannying screaming children. Spare moments were spent scribbling down AP Calculus BC and AP Microeconomics calculations or barely achieving my goal of six hours of sleep. But I loved this routine. I loved being constantly busy.

I thought this was healthy.

After all, I truly believed that this routine would raise my GPA and decorate my resume with glittering extracurriculars for college. Growing up around parents who worked full-time, scraping their way up to become CEOs, I subconsciously equated being busy with success. I believed that any down time was time I should be studying, and those who got the recommended eight hours of sleep were definitely going to fail in life.

It wasn’t until quarantine — when due dates, babysitting gigs and lacrosse practices disappeared — that I was forced to slow down and finally take time for myself.

At first, it was miserable — I didn’t know how to function without things on my to-do list. How was I supposed to fill the 12 extra hours in my day? Who was I beyond my AP classes? Within the first week, I spent hours upon hours laying in bed, only getting up for food and bathroom breaks. I felt purposeless with no tasks to do.

But eventually, when I ran out of TV series to watch and got tired of scrolling endlessly on TikTok, I decided to treat quarantine as a growth opportunity instead of an excuse to wallow in self pity. Having me-time helped me discover ways to relax, like reading new romance novels that interest me, practicing yoga and walking my Goldendoodles.

These strategies gave me an outlet to reduce the constant stress and exhaustion of my routine for the first time in my life.

While a challenging schedule can help us grow, down time is key for your mental health and wellbeing — and shouldn’t make you feel any less

I

“successful.” In a poll of 217 students, 7% stated they grew up believing you had to be busy to be successful. In America’s hard-working, capitalistic society, people associate constant productivity with high achievement. To get that gold medal or A+, it’s believed that you have to suck it up and maximize your efficiency like a robot. No friends.

No TV. No complaints.

Alone time during quarantine showed me that my “go-go-go” perspective was crushing me. During my no-breaks-equals-success mindset, when I was constantly sleep-deprived, never home and too busy to talk to my parents. I snapped at my family and friends when they’d ask how my day was, and spent my free time in sweatpants with hunched shoulders. I was the worst version of myself.

But when I found strategies that helped me

A LO N E T I M E d u r i n g q u a ra nt i n e s h o w e d m e t h a t my “ g o - g o - g o ” p e r s p e c t i ve w a s c r u s h i n g m e . . . I w a s t h e w o rst ve rs i o n of my s e lf . find peace and be OK doing nothing. I understood my personality better. I discovered a positive, bubbly side of me that was hidden under constant stress and grew to view myself as my own best friend — I started taking myself out on dates and treating myself to ice cream after a long day. My back stopped hurting from my hunched posture and I became more excited about internships, friendships and college. Questions about school or concern from my friends no longer make me lash out. I no longer crucified myself for going to bed at 10 p.m If not for a global virus that forced me to slow down, I’d still be dragging myself around the hallways with bags under my eyes and a forced smile.

It’s been nearly two years since lockdown, and the stressors that quarantine took away — school, sports, friends — have returned. However, the value of alone time is a lesson that’s stuck.

Yes, I still have weeks with little to no sleep or where I feel heavy with homework and upcoming tests — and that’s completely normal because goals keep me motivated and make those moments of free time worth the while. But I’ve learned how to balance productivity with alone time.

During my most stressful weeks, I actively make an effort to relax me — even if it’s just for 10 minutes. I’ve found that it’s helpful to designate a certain time of the week for whatever I want.

Maybe it’s eating my weight in ice cream and watching an entire season of “Love Island.” Maybe it’s re-listening to my favorite Taylor Swift album or taking a nap. Whatever I chose, that designated time has helped me maintain my composure, even amid immense stress.

And guess what? Even though I’m taking breaks, I still got into my dream college (go Wildcats!) and maintained my GPA, while also exploring my passions of reading and journaling — something my 14-year-old self never would’ve thought possible.

“Breaks’’ can look different for everyone. For some, they might be going to bed earlier. For others, they might be jogging. Whether it’s binge-watching TV all day or finding a book series you love, it’s important to find outlets and hobbies in your life that alleviate stress.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with involving yourself in several activities and taking hard classes — it’s healthy to want to reach your goals.

But if you’re constantly busy, make sure it’s because you want to be and not because you think it’s the lifestyle you need to live for the title of “highachiever.” It’s okay to have multiple jobs and still enjoy binge-watching TV. It’s perfectly acceptable to want to get good grades and still have a good night’s sleep.

Take it from me, you should implement these methods now instead of waiting for a pandemic to jumpstart you toward the healthier lifestyle you’ve always wanted.

WAYS TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF How to spend your alone time

✓ FIND HOBBIES YOU ENJOY

A ✓ TAKE BREAK

WHEN YOU NEED IT

✓ VALUE ALONE TIME

✓ FIND

BALANCE

✓ GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO RECHARGE

✓ LEARN THAT IT’S OK TO NOT ALWAYS BE BUSY

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by elise madden

PHOTOSTORY 13

In Th EIR ELEME N T

49

90

Junior Kate Heitmann tests rust remover on 15 iron wires sitting on watch glasses. PHOTO BY MJ WOLF

7

The IB chemistry class carried out their Internal Assessments to fulfill the requirement for a design lab ABOVE Junior Kate Heitmann measures water to soak iron wires for her experiment. She tested the efficiency rate of rust remover on iron wires.

PHOTO BY RACHEL BINGHAM LEFT Junior Sabrina Dean lights garbanzo beans mixed with ethanol gas for her calorimetry lab. The purpose of the lab was to measure energy levels in food.

PHOTO BY ELISE MADDEN

L E F T Erlenmeyer flasks filled with HCI and NaOh sit on the shelf for junior Willan Shrock’s experiment.

He tested the enthalpy charge produced form the reaction of the elements.

PHOTO BY JILL RICE ABOVE Junior Marin Bryant slices a carrot in half for her experiment to go into hydrochloric acid. This simulates stomach acid with how it breaks down food. “I’ve been the most sure when performing an experiment because I know exactly what I’m doing because I’ve set the rules,” Bryant said. ”It gives you a lot more freedom in chemistry to really apply what you know.”

PHOTO BY RACHEL BINGHAM

SCAN ME Use this QR code to p u rc h a s e p h ot o s f ro m t h i s eve nt on Harbie P h ot o

PHOTO

14 FEATURE

THE HARBINGER

design by katie murphy

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS A look at student life, acts of kindness and a featured unique talent

TA look H into I Sdifferent WE E K I N P H OTO S activities around East

A CT S O F K I N D N E S S *in partnership with Homegrown Kitchen

Be chosen for doing an act of kindness to be awarded a gift card from Homegrown Kitchen — nominations via Instagram poll.

THIS WEEKS WINNER: M O R GA N WO O D S SENIOR TOP RIGHT J u n i o rs i n K r i st i n A n d e rs o n ’s I B E n g l i s h clas s ro ll s u s h i w i t h a var i et y of di f fe re nt i n g re d i e nt s l i ke c ra b , tuna, shrimp and avo cado .

PHOTO BY MACY CROSSER BOTTOM RIGHT S o p h o m o re E m m a LEFT Ku h l m a n c o l le ct s h e r Sophomore Abdoulaye Kanté plays Va le nt i n e ’s D a y g i f t s basketball with JV players during f ro m t h e PT S A . half time at the Rockhurst game.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE PHOTO BY MJ WOLF GOETTSCH

F E AT U R E D U N I Q U E TA L E N T BRE LEDBETTER

K N O W S H O W T O P L AY 1 5 INSTRUMENTS WHAT PLAY? I

can

WHAT INSTRUMENTS CAN YOU play

the

piano,

guitar,

bass,

clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone,

P U T R O S E S A N D C A N DY IN HER FRIENDS’ CARS T H AT W E R E P A R K E D I N THE SENIOR LOT ON THE M O R N I N G O F VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY

RUNNER-UPS: TESS ROMAN SENIOR PA I D F O R A F R I E N D ’ S CHICK-FIL-A MEAL WITHOUT BEING ASKED TO

B E N TAY LO R SOPHOMORE

COMPLIMENTED A FRIEND’S SHOES AND B O U G H T T H E M P I Z Z A AT LUNCH

recorder, oboe, flute, mandolin, contrabass clarinet, ukulele, marimba, cajon hand drums, and euphonium. I by no means claim to be an expert on all of them, but I’m proficient enough to get by. A lot of them, once you learn one it’s easy enough to get another one down because they have similar fingerings.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO PLAY SO MANY INSTRUMENTS? I’ve been lucky enough to have a supportive dad who gets me instruments and band directors who let me mess around on new instruments. My life practically revolves around music. I practice for band three hours a week and other instruments in my free time.

ANDREW MUN SOPHOMORE G R A B B E D C A L C U L AT O R T H AT C L A S S M AT E L E F T BEHIND AND RETURNED IT

FEATURE 15

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by campbell wood

INVITING & ADVISING Teachers Emily Colebank, Mallory Dittemore and Susan Hallstrom have become known at East for their abilities to talk to and relate with their students by m aggi e ki ssi ck

COLEBANK positive S H E ’ S A LWAY S S O s u p p o r t i ve eve n i f yo u ’ re l i ke , ‘ O h , l o o k I g o t a 70 % o n my t e s t , ’ s h e ’ l l s a y , ‘ Ye a h , t h a t ’s b e tt e r t h a n a D ! ’ S h e f i n d s p o s i t i ve p a r t s i n eve r y t h i n g .

MADDIE DOYLE SOPHOMORE

DITTEMORE respectful

S H E ’ L L ACT UA L LY L I S T E N t o w h a t yo u h a ve t o s a y a n d yo u c a n t e l l s h e ’s re a l ly i n t e re s t e d , eve n i f i t ’s s o m e t h i n g small. She doesn’t just ask questions to kill time.

ANNA THELEN SOPHOMORE

hallstrom entertaining SHE

ONCE MADE us sing the e l e c t ro m a g n e t i c spectrum song because she wanted [chemistry teacher] Mr. Appier to hear it and be j e a l o u s . A n d t h e n s h e g ot o u t h e r p h o n e and she was swaying the flashlight l i ke w e w e re a t a c o n c e r t .

MARGOT BEAVER SOPHOMORE

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ALKING STRAIGHT TO room

definitely keeps it real. She’s not fake at all.”

Doyle feels like she can tell Colebank anything without judgement. Colebank fosters this type of environment — she starts class by asking how everyone has been doing to make sure her students know she cares.

“She’s always so supportive,” Doyle said. “Even if you’re just like, ‘Oh look, I got a 70% on my test,’ she’ll say, ‘Yeah, that’s better than a D!’ She finds positive parts in everything.”

Colebank tries to keep her class interesting by making jokes — even if no one laughs at them. The peppiness and excitement she brings to every period

makes even the most complicated of math equations enjoyable, according to Doyle.

Colebank is more like a friend to Doyle — who says that being able to learn math while also feeling like you’re hanging out with a pal makes going to Honors Algebra 2 each day much more bearable.

“It’s nice to have teacher relationships within the school,” Doyle said. “You have your friend relationships and that’s great, but when you have relationships with a teacher, it just makes school more bearable because you can look forward to that class.”

OUTSIDE OF her classroom, business teacher Mallory Dittemore greets all of her students with a “Hey, how’s it going?” and pop music playing in her classroom.

Dittemore starts off each class with a question of the day, ranging from Sweetheart dance plans to Super Bowl predictions. These questions have not only helped with getting to know each other better but they show that Dittemore wants to hear about what you’re saying, according to sophomore Anna Thelen.

“She’ll actually listen to what you have to say and you can tell she’s

really interested, even if it’s something small,” Thelen said. “She doesn’t just ask these questions to kill time.”

Thelen isn’t in Dittemore’s class anymore, but she still visits her at least once a week. From coming to her classroom before and after school to saying hello in the hallways, Dittemore has shown that she’s worth staying connected to, even after only having begun teaching at East this year.

Students outside of Dittemore’s class admire how she has also taken on the job of freshman girls basketball coach, assistant cross country coach and assistant DECA sponsor, further

strengthening her relationships with students outside of her class roster.

She challenges her players while also celebrating their accomplishments with gifts like cookies after celebrating their first win as a team, according to freshman Sophia Beedle, who has Dittemore as her basketball coach.

“She treats us not like little kids, but like young adults and gives us responsibilities,” Beedle said. “She really wants us to have fun when we’re playing basketball. So she makes that a top priority for us, while also calling us out when we aren’t playing as well as we should.”

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appreciates the challenges that Honors Chemistry brings her. In fact, she even looks forward to the class. From singing the ‘Electromagnetic Spectrum’ song to the class’s bond over their “shared suffering,” Hallstrom’s classroom has created a community for Strack to enjoy during her challenging course load.

“You can tell that Hallstrom is really passionate about what she does,” Strack said. “It’s not like she wakes herself up and then dreads going to school just to teach the same thing over and over. She’s excited to teach people about things that they could possibly enjoy.”

Sophomore Margot Beaver is another one of Hallstrom’s super-fans. Beaver

enjoys how Hallstrom tries to keep her class light — whether it’s sharing how she “bullied” administration into giving her two MacBooks, shooting Nerf guns or lighting off explosives in Mr. Martin’s room. Hallstrom keeps a balance between science and fun that students enjoy, according to Beaver.

“She once made us sing the electromagnetic spectrum song because she wanted [chemistry teacher] Mr. Appier to hear it and be jealous,” Beaver said. “And so she was screaming the lyrics along with us.

And then she got out her phone and she was swaying the flashlight like you would at a concert. And then we were all swaying our flashlights and belting this song.”

418 as the bell rings after school, sophomore Maddie Doyle couldn’t wait to tell math teacher Emily Colebank all of the week’s latest drama. Doyle told her about her relationship and the recent fight in her friend group.

She knew Colebank would give great advice and listen to what was going on in her life — both things Colebank is known for.

“She doesn’t hide her flaws like other teachers do, which just makes her so much more relatable and easier to talk to,” Doyle said. “She says things like ‘I wear sweatpants everyday because I just like to keep it real.’ She

S

TANDING

OPHOMORE VIVIAN STRACK first entered Chemistry teacher Susan Hallstrom’s classroom on the first week of school excited to learn about the new subject. But after seeing all of the assignments on the calendar, Strack became overwhelmed with the amount of work the class would require.

She instantly panicked and questioned whether the class would be something she could handle.

“I actually started crying in front of [Hallstrom],” Strack said. “I didn’t think I could handle the class and she told me to snap out of it. She hugged me and we walked down the hallway and she told me, ‘You can do this.’ It was so refreshing to hear.”

Now six months later, Strack

16 FEATURE

A PRIVATE

TRAUMA by katie murphy *na mes c h an ged to p rote ct id e ntity

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HEN-FRESHMAN ERICA Keely’s* hand confidently shot up into the air.

Why would he ask a question that we all have the same answer to?

The poll in teacher Steve Klein’s honors world regional studies class was “Are you Catholic?” Keely expected every hand in the room to be raised, just like they would’ve been at her old private school, St. Ann’s Catholic School.

Yet she counted only two other raised hands.

She was shocked. Up until that moment, Keely had assumed everyone she knew was Catholic.

It’s not like she didn’t know other religions existed — her old social studies teachers had offhandedly mentioned Judaism and Hinduism before. But they also taught her that Catholicism was the “right” religion.

Turns out, maybe Keely didn’t have the world figured out.

Maybe there wasn’t only one answer to every question — how humans came to be, which genders should love each other, what happens after death.

“If my younger self would see me now, she would be very confused,” now-senior Keely said.

She spent her first weeks at East in a state of incredulity. People were eating chips and chewing gum in class and wearing shortshorts instead of plaid skirts 2” above their knees. Gay people existed outside of the internet and news? Transgender people were real? A classmate introduced themselves to her with “they/them” pronouns, and she was left speechless.

Where is the order? Where are the firm Catholic rules?

For students like Keely, the transition from religious private schools to public school is akin to starting a new life. Over three times more students per grade. More diversity. More than one religion. After a student spends their early, impressionable years learning from a religious viewpoint, switching to a public school like East can impact their mentality and religious beliefs.

In an Instagram poll of 101 East students, 56% felt negatively impacted by attending religious private school. 35% reported experiencing religious trauma. Vivid memories of their grade school days — both sentimental and scarring — can stick with them forever.

Religious trauma is a broad and informal term that refers to trauma stemming from a religious institution or within the faith community, according to therapist Amanda Roman. Local clinical psychologist Dr. Louise Gordon has worked with clients who have experienced this circumstantial form of trauma.

“From my own 20-plus years of clinical experience, when people grow up in an environment where they don’t have a choice whether to practice religion or go to a school where these values are enforced, it can be very traumatic because the way religion is practiced can be very harsh,” Gordon said. “I’m not saying it’s always like that, but if you’re forced to practice something that

Students who attended religious private schools discuss the negative and traumatic effects, and their experience transitioning to East

you don’t believe in and abide by certain behaviors because of that religion making you feel stifled or restricted, it can become a problem.”

All six of the major religious private schools in the area that can feed into East or where students commonly transfer from are Catholic — St. Ann’s, Curé of Ars, Bishop Miege, St. Teresa’s, Rockhurst and Notre Dame de Sion. Many students from these schools choose to continue on to parochial high schools, according to Assistant Principal Dr. Susan Leonard. Still, some elect to attend public schools like East.

“It’s not necessarily like everyone had a bad experience there, but certainly if you’re looking to transfer schools, something wasn’t working for you,” Leonard said. “Sometimes it was a flat-out bad experience, and you need a fresh start. But, a lot of times it’s just that East offers something that religious private schools don’t, like a co-ed environment and a wider variety of extracurricular activities.”

But for Keely, going to her grade school was a bad experience.

Same with sophomore and Curé alum Cara Miller.* Biblical lessons and weekly chapel ingrained in them the idea that there was only a single right answer to every question. In eighth grade, one of Miller’s Indian Hills Middle School friends mentioned learning about how humans evolved from apes in science class. Miller had a gut reaction: I’ve never heard that before. It must be wrong.

[TEACHERS] WOULD THREATEN hell often. Like, ‘If you don’t follow the ten commandments, then you’re going to go to hell.’ My eighth grade teacher described hell as sitting in a pitch black room alone forever. With, like, demons. Scary s---. They tried to scare us. I was just a kid.

CARA MILLER*

SOPHOMORE

She was never taught evolution at Curé and had accepted the idea that Adam and Eve were the start of humanity.

“That shook something in my core,” Miller said. “I was offended.

It was totally new.”

She believed that a Bible story about a man named Jonah living inside a whale was nonfiction until sixth grade, when she began meeting non-Catholic friends at an out-of-school theater company.

They laughed when overhearing her talk about it. All of a sudden, it was like Santa wasn’t real.

“My classmates at St. Ann’s and I used to all be like, ‘Wouldn’t it be so cool if we were the chosen one to be in the whale?’”

Miller said. “We were taught those stories like stone, hard facts.

I genuinely believed that every single animal in the world was on that ark and that Noah sailed during a huge, worldwide flood.”

Miller would feel pressure to conform to her former classmates’ and teachers’ opinions that abortion and homosexuality were sins.

She remembers classmates making fun of any boys that acted feminine or sensitive and were suspected to be gay.

Those snickers and pointed fingers would follow Notre Dame de

Sion Lower School alum and current junior Liam Allen* through the halls of elemen school — he was gay, and it was funny to his class.

Allen knew the drill. Swallow the hurt and keep a low profile wasn’t officially “out” yet, but people just knew he was differen the “girl-ish” way he talked.

During prayers at mass, he would sometimes peek to l around at the bowed heads of his peers with brows furrowed eyes squashed shut. Everyone always looked so devoted.

He’d straighten up, pressing his clasped hands harder into forehead, and pretend to be deep in prayer. But doubts crept in I wonder if God loves me.

“When I was younger, I would think, ‘Maybe when I get ol I will start to believe this,’” Allen said. “I never did. But, all I taught was religion, so that’s what I felt pressured to believe.”

Gordon notes that living under pressure and strict rule an adolescent can have varying effects based on an individu specific circumstances.

“If it’s done with coercion and harshness without dialogu can cause negative effects and anxiety that will show up la Gordon said. “I’ve seen that very frequently.”

Sophomore and Curé alum Audrey Apprill agrees that grade school pressured her into Catholicism and discoura other beliefs. She still believes in God and core Catholic values kindness and charity after coming to public high school — des still dreading going to church — but her religious views h softened. She’s now more forgiving of herself when she forgets homework or messes up a school presentation and has higher s esteem.

“I used to feel like I had to pray out of guilt,” Apprill said. “I like if I messed anything up, I would have to pray to make it be Now, I pray in a loving way.”

Growing up, she noticed friends and classmates who w unhappy or struggling with suicidal thoughts and self-harm. wrote an email to administrators in seventh grade, urging them focus on students’ mental health rather than religious vigor. T promised to make improvements.

“At East, it’s a huge difference because they seriously priori mental health,” Apprill said.

Different opinions about religion and even less heavy to aren’t as taboo at East, according to Apprill. Common assignm like essays for English class are handled differently with emphasis on religion — teachers encourage students to share t beliefs and support them with research. She feels that “everyo opinions are respected” during socratic seminars and she speak freely as long as she supports her views with facts.

“For school projects [at Curé,] you had to listen to one opin and agree with it,” Apprill said. “For example, we had manda assignments about why you like being a Christian or why you God. It was never really open to interpretation.”

She and Miller grew up scared of new ideas — and terrifie sinning. Terrified of going to hell. In elementary school, hell described as burning in fire forever. In middle school, it bec eternal isolation. “[Teachers] would threaten hell often,” Miller said. “Like, ‘If don’t follow the 10 commandments, then you’re going to go to h My eighth grade teacher described hell as sitting in a pitch-b room alone forever. With, like, demons. Scary s---. They trie scare us. I was just a kid.”

Similar situations at Keely’s grade school are what she belie to have caused her anxiety disorder today — including maladap dreaming induced by stressful situations which she uses to dist herself from reality.

According to psychologist Eli Somer, maladaptive dreaming condition where a person regularly experiences intense and hi

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FEBRUARY 18, 2022 distracting daydreams potentially triggered as a coping strategy in response to trauma.

She also experiences panic attacks, which are triggered by religious cues as ordinary as seeing a crucifix. It started during eighth grade when she couldn’t sit through an entire church ceremony without leaving the room.

“I couldn’t [be religious] anymore because they taught me that God is always watching,” Keely said. “He’s always judging. He’s always looking at you and nitpicking every single thing you’re doing, and he’s disappointed in you. That’s when I started feeling anxious.”

One possible symptom of anxiety is worrying about something that could potentially happen that is, in reality, not happening, according to Gordon. A gum wrapper could fall out of Keely’s backpack and blow away, and the guilt of littering will weigh down her conscience all day. I can’t mess up. She still feels a need to earn her place in heaven.

The last time Keely visited her grade school was for a recently-passed East student’s funeral. The dusty scent of the chapel transported her back to a more sheltered time.

“Being there was really hard,” Keely said.

“It made me want to sit up straighter in the pews. Not only was I grieving because I had lost a friend, I was grieving because I felt like I had lost myself in that school, too.”

Still, she admits that some of her p a s t classmates had different experiences at their religious schools and that not everyone was negatively affected.

Sophomore and St. Paul’s alum Millie Norden’s family loved her grade school where her sister, mom, aunt and grandma all attended. The familiar faces and routines made it feel like a homey, tight-knit community.

“It was completely different from East, and I knew every student and teacher there super well,” Norden said. “Here, I don’t even know half of my grade.”

St. Paul’s taught her morals such as loving her neighbor as herself during chapel every morning. Curé of Ars Assistant Principal Jackie Barber explains that teaching the Catholic faith to students at a young age is important to creating faithful and professional people who will grow up to lead our country.

“As educators, we want our students to be kind and respectful,” Barber said. “So, we focus on being ‘like Jesus’ and ‘like Christ.’ That’s a big difference in what we do here versus public school, through a 30-minute religion class every day and weaving that faith into all of our subject areas.”

As a former public school teacher, she points out that there are benefits to both public and religious private schools. But, Barber also sees misinformation surrounding these conversations.

“Catholic school isn’t for everyone,” Barber said. “I think people should be able to have a professional conversation about it without being disrespectful.”

As a public school, East is legally required to take a neutral stance on religion, according to Leonard.

This means offering equal opportunities to all denominations.

“It’s really just about if the experience a school is offering you is what you really want,” Leonard said.

design by celia condon

18 FEATURE

THE HARBINGER

design by elle gedman photos by hadley chapman

RUNNING FOR

Love

Cross country coach Tricia Beaham hosted a 2.14 mile “Spread Love” fundraiser run on Valentine’s Day to highlight the real purpose of love by peyton moore

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AST CROSS COUNTRY coach Tricia Beaham sat by the track waiting after school on Feb. 14. Kids slowly flowed down from the school, carrying their running shoes in a bright green Nike track bag, fist bumping their cross country friends they haven’t seen this season or murmuring about what this “Spread the Love” run might be.

When each runner reached the track, Beaham greeted them with a smile, a pink Valentine’s Hyvee cookie and a free white T-shirt, printed on it a winged shoe and a heart titled “Spread the Love, 2/14.” She couldn’t stop smiling. After all, she finally felt she was able to help her athletes give back to the community.

Beaham was running the first annual “Spread the Love” run, where cross country runners and members of the East community met Beaham on the track after school to run 2.14 miles on Valentine’s Day. The goal of the run was to “spread love” to families in need by donating money raised — there was a $20 suggested donation per runner — to them.

“Having it on Valentine’s Day made a good excuse for me,” Beaham said. “An excuse to say that I love my cross country kids, I love my track kids, I love the people I coach with and I love this community.”

The donations from the Spread the Love race totaled $1,200. 75% of the proceeds went towards families within the East community that Beaham knew were in

need, and the other 25% would be donated to a family in Oregon — the same family that East alum and cross country coach in Oregon Carl Sniffen ran 30 miles, a mile for each year he’s coached.

Beaham’s inspiration for this event came from Mallala, Oregon, where this run has been a tradition for over 20 years and morphed into a community event, where members come together to help multiple families. In Mallala, ‘Spread the Love’ lasts three to four weeks and involves the whole community: hosting restaurant nights, participating in a polar plunge, after school assemblies and runs just like Beaham’s.

In his last year as a cross country coach, cross country kids, East alums, parents and Beaham’s friends showed up to “Spread the Love.” While some couldn’t make it to the run, people Venmoed her to still show their love and support for the East community and the outreach to Oregon families.

1,200

D O L L A R S WA S R A I S E D TO G O T O W A R D S A F A M I LY I N N E E D IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN MALLALA OREGON

Beaham first felt inspired to have her team give back about 20 years ago when she, Stiffen and a few other cross country coaches set up a running camp at Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge in Grand Lake, Colorado. At the camp, schools would each bring about 20 athletes to run the

mountain trails lined w i t h meadows of wildflowers in an effort to learn about environmental sustainability.

“When we are out there we are not only learning about running and learning about these other kids from across the country,” Beaham said. “We are also learning about ways to protect the nature that surrounds us and that we get to run in everyday.”

After seeing what impact this group of athletes and young adults could make in their community, Beaham wanted to find more ways to give back.

For Beaham and Sniffen alike, cross country wasn’t just an excuse to run. This team and the East program that Beaham has built have been giving back to the community whether that be learning about recycling in Shadowcliff or raising money for community members during the 2/14 run.

Beaham has made it her overlying purpose as a coach, teacher and friend to implement giving back in her community, and having the run on Valentine’s Day was the perfect excuse to show her love to the runners, coworkers and community Beaham explained.

“Tricia describes coaching as selfish,” Beaham’s high school friend Leslie Blair said. “She says that she gets more out of it than the kids, and those kids, they just love her.”

At the start of the race, Tricia told all of

the kids and adults to take off their watches — a runner’s prized possession to stay on pace. There was confusion until Beaham described a challenge where the runners would have to guess their paced time and the top six closest to their actual time would receive a prize. The kids hesitated, and some even tried to hide their watch under their sleeve, but Beaham eventually got them to put them in a pile.

I K N OW W H AT t h e s e k i d s c a n d o i n a n d o u t s i d e of t h e i r r u n n i n g c a p a b i l i t i e s . T h ey a re f u n , b r i g ht k i d s w h o h a ve s o m u c h p ot e nt i a l i n o u r community.

TRICIA BEAHAM CROSS COUNTRY COACH This run went better than she could have imagined — she finished the race still smiling and with her goal of creating excitement around the 2.14 mile run fulfilled.

“I know what these kids can do in and outside of their running capabilities,” Beaham stated. “They are fun, bright kids who have so much potential in our community.”

FEATURE 19

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by greyson imm photo by charlotte emley

AN OLYMPIC OBSESSION The Olympics brings people together in different but equally meaningful ways by sophie lindberg HEN YOU THINK of the Winter

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Olympics you may imagine people in glittery outfits dancing for their lives on the ice or a potential gold-medalist skier flipping through the air, praying they stick the landing. Maybe it’s sitting around a TV with your family or watching intently on your phone past your bedtime on a school night.

The Olympics can touch the hearts of many, in different but equally meaningful ways.

For 2021 East alum Liv Olson, it conjures up images of visits to the Salt Lake City Olympic sites as a kid. Being from Utah, she holds a special connection to the Olympics.

“Sometimes when we [go back] to Utah, we check out the sites and stuff where they held the Olympics, and they have like a cool Museum in Park City,” Olson said.

“I remember going with my family, which also kind of makes them more special.”

Olson’s grandparents still live in the Salt Lake area and in 2012, her family, except her dad, stayed with them. Returning home from the two-and-a-half-month-long stay in Utah and seeing her father after that long was a relief for Olson.

The family celebrated their return by watching the summer Olympics.

“Back then, we had like this little TV,” Olson said. “It was like a box TV, a-footby-a-foot screen. We were all watching [the Olympics] around it. And it’s just fun as little

kids because we didn’t really get what was going on. But I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Go Team USA!’” This year for the Olympics, she’s away from home while in Brigham Young for college, but it’s still helped her bond with her family from afar. She talks to her mom multiple times a day and Olympics are never left out of the discussion.

I T WA S L I K E a b ox T V, a - fo ot - by - a - fo o t s c re e n . We w e re a l l w a t c h i n g [ t h e O ly m p i c s ] a ro u n d i t . A n d i t ’s j u st f u n a s l i tt l e k i d s b e c a u s e w e d i d n ’ t re a l ly g et w h a t w a s going on.

LIV OLSON EAST ALUM Olson and her mother are definitely the most intense in her family when it comes to the Olympics — their deafening cheering during the luge events makes their family red with embarrassment. However, her siblings have their Olympic-fan-girlmoments. Her little brother went far enough to make a presentation explaining the rules of wrestling for her mother, who didn’t q u i t e understand t h e m w h e n

watching the Summer Olympics in 2021.

In a similar fashion, freshman Gracie Bergin enjoys the excitement of the Olympics with her overly-competitive parents — which runs in the family. The Olympic spirit comes to fruition in the form of friendly competitions.

Bergin has suffered the wrath of her gloating parents — once doing the dishes for a month was the consequence of her picking wrong for who would take the gold in a men’s swimming event in 2016.

“I think my whole family is very competitive,” Bergin said. “So I think that sometimes we can get pretty intense, but we won’t ever actually get angry at each other about it.”

Beyond the family aspect of competition, Bergin enjoys the patriotism that comes with the Olympics for U.S. viewers.

“Knowing that I’m from that country... I just think it’s so cool,” Bergin said.

On the flip side, sophomore Griffin King prefers his Olympic experience to be completely private. He hasn’t watched the Olympics with another person in years.

But that doesn’t mean that he won’t spend his entire lunch period discussing the results from the luge.

He carves whatever time he can out of his schedule to accommodate for the Olympics, even if that means neglecting his duties while working at Taco Republic or staying up to an unreasonable hour to see highlights of the day’s performances.

However, King has an uncommon perspective on the Olympics — one with historical ties.

“Obviously the Olympics started like 1,000 years ago,” King said. “And the naked Romans wanted to fight each other. 1,000 years later, [the Olympics are] spread across the world. And we can see the same sports that they competed in then, now, but on a much more worldwide scale. So I think there’s something very pleasing to me about that kind of primal level of just wanting a game to play, to play sports with your fellow Roman.”

King views the 2022 Olympics as a “war inside of China,” where the athletes from their home countries all come together to compete for dominance. The idea of war rather than sport is the motivation behind his interest.

“When the Olympics comes on, it’s kind of the sort of thing where you just get to really see humans — Romans — pushing themselves to just the brink of their abilities, and it’s kind of interesting to see that peak of human possibility,” said King.

Whether it be through the common patriotism felt by the American people, the close-knit bond of a family or an interest in human competition, the Olympic spirit is alive at East.

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A&E 21

FEBRUARY 18, 2022

design by caroline wood photos from Spotify, Amazon and Wikipedia

A&E HIGHLIGHTS

In celebration of Black History Month, check out books, music and documentaries from black artists in the entertainment industry, as well as histories of black pioneers

recent rele a s es

stre aming histo r y BOOKS

MUSIC ALBUM | THREE DIMENSIONS DEEP

No matter which streaming service you’re subscribed to, there is a Black History Month documentary to watch AU TH OR | B R ENDA N S LOCU M B

CELEBRATE BLACK STORIES

G E N R E | M Y ST E RY

ARTI ST | AMBER MARK

PA G E C O U N T | 3 5 2

RUN TIME | 1H R & B s i n g e r - s o n g w r i t e r ’s debut album filled w i t h ra w e m ot i o n s a n d ex i st e n t i a l q u e st i o n s .

D e s p i t e t h e ra c i s m h e fa c e s , a v i o l i n i s t a s p i re s t o b e a p rofe s s i o n a l c l a s s i c a l m u s i c i a n , but he must find his violin after it gets stolen.

AL BUM | CAPRISO NGS

AU TH OR | C H A R M A I N E W IL KER S ON

A R T I ST | F K A T W I G S

G E N R E | F I C I TO N

RUN TIME | 48M 10S

BLACK LIVES MATTER MORE THAN A MONTH BLACK VOICES MATTER CELEBRATE BLACK VOICES

PA G E C O U N T | 4 0 0

S e c o n d st u d i o a l b u m of a va nt - p o p a r t i st b r i n g s t o g et h e r m u lt i p l e g e n re s w i t h g u t - p u n c h i n g ly r i c s .

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

Tw o g ro w n - a p a r t s i s t e r s a re b ro u g h t b a c k t o g e t h e r t o d e a l w i t h t h e i r m o t h e r ’s d e a t h , and her past leads them on a j o u r n ey a ro u n d t h e w o r l d .

BLACK HISTORY ALWAYS

black entertainment history Brief histories on Black pioneers in different aspects of the entertainment industry

L

ANGSTON HUGHES (1902-1967)

reflected the lives, struggles and rich cultures of African Americans through his writing. He started out writing for his school paper, then his teacher showed him famous poets which inspired him to get into poetry.

Although Hughes wasn’t as recognized during his lifetime, he was able to buy his dream home in Harlem, NY and his works and life were so influential on the Harlem Renaissance that the street he lived on was renamed in his honor and his house was made a landmark.

D

IAHANN CARROLL (1935-2019)

was the first Black actress to star in a prime-time TV series — “Julia” which first aired in 1968. She was also one of the actress to play a Black female character that was educated, outspoken and successful as opposed to the usual stereotypical role of a quiet domestic worker.

Carroll also garnered popularity for her appearances in TV shows like “Dynasty,” “The Hollywood Palace” and “The Love Boat“ and her role in “Claudine” got her nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.

E

LLA FITZGERALD (1917-1996), also

known as “The First Lady of Song” and “The Queen of Jazz,” was famous for her wide range and tone in her jazz and scat singing.

In 1958 at the first Grammy Awards, Fitzgerald became the first Black woman to win a Grammy award, winning two that night for Best Jazz Performance, Individual and Best Vocal Performance, Female — two of her album were also nominated that year. She then went on to win 11 more Grammy’s and sell over 40 million records. *info from Wikipedia

22 A&E

THE HARBINGER

design by addie moore

BBQ IN

REVIEW A review of the new barbecue restaurant, Meat Mitch opened by East dad Mitch Benjamin

ANNAS

by anna m i tchel l HEN LOOKING FOR an authentic

ALTERNATES

Anna’s other go-to BBQ spots

JOE’S KANSAS CITY BA R-B-QUE

NO. 1 IN USA TODAY’S “BEST SOUTHERN BBQ” CATEGORY

NO. 25 IN THE COUNTRY FOR EVERYDAY DINING

FIORELLA‘S

JACK STACK BARBECUE Kansas City Original Since 1957

lets add

THE SAUCE

Meat Mitch’s famous original sauces

ALL-PUROPSE GLUTEN-FREE VEGAN SAUCE MEANT TO MAKE OVERCOOKED BBQ TASTE BLUE RIBBON WORTHY NON-TRADITIONAL COMPETITION SAUCE FOCUSED ON SWEETNESS WITH A KICK ALL NATURAL COMPETITION SAUCE USING BROWN SUGAR TO ADD SWEETNESS TO THE BBQ

W

plate of Kansas City barbecue, my mind instantly goes to Z Mans from Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Q or burnt ends with buckets of cheesy corn from Jack Stack.

However, there’s a BBQ restaurant beyond that, and I knew the next best place would be Meat Mitch — a new restaurant created by East dad Mitch Benjamin and located at 3620 W 95th St. Walking into Meat Mitch, grill tops of all colors made into light fixtures hung above me at the entrance, giving off a modern but casual vibe in just the first two minutes of my experience. The woody, southern look captured the classic KC barbecue feel.

I contemplated over the plethora of appetizers, barbecue options, burgers and dessert. I had saved plenty of room in my stomach — or so I thought — and ordered fried pickles, Cheesy Hog Fries, the Naked & Afraid sandwich, the Texas Ranger sandwich, a side of mac and cheese and a chocolate whoopie pie to top it off — all for a whopping total of $70.

The appetizers were first up in my taste-line: which consisted of fried pickles and Cheesy Hog Fries. The fried pickles were paired with a side of creamy ranch that hit the spot. Despite the struggle to take a bite of the thick, juicy pickles, it was worth the savory and salty taste of the fried bread crumbs sprinkled on top.

Next up on the plate were the Cheesy Hog Fries, consisting of sticky curly fries, crispy pulled pork, cheesy “fundo” and Tillamook sauce. Benjamin said they even drizzle them with a little bit of honey as a not-so-secret recipe and it does the trick, adding a hint of sweetness.

The mix of seasoning, cheesy goodness and Tillamook sauce completely sold

The Naked and Afraid sandwich and the Cheesy Hog Fries at Meat Mitch BBQ . PHOTOS BY JULIA FILMORE & HADLEY CHAPMAN

me, reminding me of a mix of nachos and fries with a splash of Kansas City.

However, both addicting and not-so-small appetizers posed a struggle for me to get my main course of the night down.

I quickly learned my eyes were bigger than my stomach, even with the help of a few friends to take a bite or two. My main meal, the Naked & Afraid sandwich, was too much to stomach and had to come home with me.

The burnt ends, smoked rope sausage, pepper jack, charred mayo, matchstix potato, pickled jalapeño and side of Whomp! Sauce — one of many of Benjamin’s signature BBQ sauces — all on a bun made it hard to resist. The sandwich’s massive size was a challenge as I tried to take my first bite, yet the amazing burnt ends combined with the rest of the sandwich definitely made me feel better than Naked & Afraid. While I only ate half to make sure I had room for the rest of my meal, the half didn’t disappoint and the other was safely buckled into my front seat.

Next up was the Texas Ranger, recommended to me by employee and junior Aidan Winne as his top pick on the menu, and he was right. The Texas Ranger is made up of shaved brisket, pepper jack, onion rings, charred mayo and a side of Whomp! Sauce to top off the second sandwich to scarf down.

Again, the sandwich was almost double the size of my fist but the crispy onion rings in between the buns paired with the sauce-covered brisket were worth the struggle of fitting the huge sandwich in my mouth. The tangy taste of Whomp!

Sauce on top of the brisket aided me in jumping out of my barbecue comfort zone with no regrets.

I was impressed with both the Naked & Afraid and the Texas Ranger sandwiches, regardless of my pants feeling too tight.

It’s almost impossible to pick between the two sandwiches, and even more impossible not wanting to go back for more.

I also ordered mac and cheese, thinking I would be able to eat this alongside my sandwiches — my bulging stomach was sadly mistaken. While the warm and comforting mac and cheese wasn’t necessarily much different than anything I’ve had before, the bread crumbs on the top added some extra flavor and a crunchy texture that was much needed.

Lastly, was a chocolate whoopie pie.

The thought of biting into another piece of food was honestly nauseating, but I found a small motivation to try my very first whoopie pie. Personally I’m not a big cake and icing fan, but the fluffy icing between the two patties of chocolate cake melted in my mouth. However, It would’ve been even more enjoyable if not following the biggest meal I’ve ever had.

Within the restaurant, there’s tons of options to sit — high tables, booths, the bar — surrounded with a Southern, cookout vibe, TVs to watch any and every sporting event and cowboy and bull posters to fill the walls. At each table there are sauces galore, all handcrafted by Benjamin for any item on the menu.

All in all, our table service was great and we were able to see Mitch Benjamin himself for a warm welcome into the new restaurant. If you’re looking for a new place with a different setup, variety of food and award winning KC BBQ, Meat Mitch is the place to go.

A&E 23

FEBRUARY 18, 2022

design and story by celia condon

RUN THE RENTWAY

LOOK #3

LOOK #2

LOOK #1

Rent the Runway is a fun way to shop for those often looking for new pieces, but not ready to make the investment on higher-end pieces

I

og.

$99 B ARDOT

P I N K L AC E U P TO P

“ og.

$235 JU ST BE E

GR E AT JO NE S

og.

$384 MISA LUELLA DRESS

“

og.

$280

AM NOT an outfit repeater (unlike Lizzie McGuire).

If I’ve worn an outfit to an event, the chances that I’ll wear it out again are slim. Maybe if I didn’t post on Instagram in said ‘fit, I’d consider. Or if the invite list is totally different and it’s been at least two years.

It sounds obscene, I know. However, I don’t do this because I’m scared people will judge me or even notice, I just love clothes. Each new event is a new reason for me to shop. That’s why Rent the Runway is perfect for me.

RTR is a virtual, national clothing rental service.

Each item available to rent is really from the “runway.”

Bringing high-end designer brands to your home, RTR allows users to rent an individual item for a set price for a limited period of time. If you’ve received a wedding invite or have a black tie event to attend, you could rent that $700 LoveShackFancy dress you’ve had your eye on for $50.

There are also subscription options ranging by price, item number and how often your new looks are shipped: four items for $89 a month with one shipment over the time period, eight items a month for $135 with two shipments or 16 items a month for $199 with 4 shipments.

However, each subscription offers a discount for the first month: $69, $99 and $149, respectively.

I chose the first subscription option. After paying, I was given access to RTR’s enormous closet and spent about a day deciding which items would be temporary members of my wardrobe. With an upcoming motherdaughter trip to Miami and an Eric Church concert to attend, I was on a mission for specific-style items to fill up my four slots. It was easy to interchange the items if I changed my mind too.

Two days later, my new little gems were on my doorstep.

The first item I chose was a pink patterned lace-up top

by BARDOT, originally retailing for $99. This top ended up being my least favorite of the four, only because I felt it wasn’t extremely flattering. It certainly brought out the red in my newly sunkissed skin. While in Miami, I wore it with a pair of white jeans and pink sneakers to shop and eat in. I surely felt luxurious wearing it, as most of the tops I own are $50 or below.

I decided the second and third items would go together in an outfit. By Great Jones, I chose a pair of silky yellow pants, detailed with flowers and birds originally selling for $280 — they immediately screamed “Miami!” — this one was easy for me. I paired them with a simple, yet elegant, one shoulder top by Just BEE Queen, originally $235. I could dress it up with a skirt and heels, or down with a pair of jeans and some sneakers. I got plenty of use out of it in the month before I had to send it back.

I actually had a friend approach me, scolding me for purchasing a $250 top, “I saw that on Revolve, it’s so expensive!”

They’ll never know if you don’t tell them....

Not to mention, I got compliments from strangers while hitting the streets of Miami. The nearly $500 outfit certainly made me feel glamorous. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about getting the pieces dirty because each item is dry cleaned as soon as it returns to the RTR warehouse. However, if you do completely trash a piece (tears or stains) there is a fee to pay, depending on the item’s original price.

The fourth and final item I received was a frilly, blue, yellow and pink dress by the brand MISA Los Angeles originally on sale for a whopping $374. My intention is to wear it to the Eric Church concert tonight, paired with white cowgirl boots and a hat. However, I dressed it down with sneakers and a cardigan and wore it on a sunny Sunday morning to brunch. The second I tried the dress on for the first time, I absolutely felt like America’s sweetheart.

IT SOUNDS OBSCENE, I know.

H o w eve r , I d o n ’ t d o t h i s b e c a u s e I ’ m s c a re d p e o p l e w i l l j u d g e m e o r eve n n ot i c e , I j u st l ove c l ot h e s .

E a c h n e w eve nt i s a n e w re a s o n fo r m e t o s h o p .

This dress was the one I was most excited to wear and ended up being my favorite of the four. It was so flattering, and had elastic at the waist, allowing me to customize how long or short it was. And even if the dress was too big or too small, RTR gives the option to exchange the items for a different size if needed.

The one obvious down-side of RTR is having to return the items you’ve so newly fallen in love with. Lucky for us, you can just rent the items again another month, or buy the items at a discounted price. My once-$280 pants were offered to me for $196, and I can’t say the thought of splurging on them didn’t cross my mind for a split second.

After one month of subscribing to RTR’s service, I’m sold. I had so much fun picking out items I wouldn’t normally be able to afford, and at the end of the day, the items I got were everything I needed them to be. And even if I can’t find clothing suited for what I need in the future, RTR’s collection of bags, shoes and accessories is endless and above all chic.

The subscription would be great for grad-party season and greek life rush for incoming college freshmen. The singular rental options that RTR has to offer are also great — I’ve found a few of the higher-end prom dresses I’ve taken interest in are available to rent off the site for between $50-80.

I’ve renewed my subscription and am already looking for spring break ‘fits. Rent The Runway is the most stress-free, luxurious shopping spree ever.

24 A&E

THE HARBINGER

design by sydney newton

natural NUTRIENTS Kind Food Kitchen is a plant-based cafe in Westport with a focus on organic and locally sourced ingredients, perfect for people who are vegan or vegetarian

The different aspects of True Food KC, including the Southwest Salad, menu and store merch a n d ise. PHOTOS BY JILL RICE

by a very an derson

V

EGAN — THE TREND that continues to grow each day. My Pinterest is full of vegan recipes and I can’t look at my Instagram feed without seeing posts of vegan food. Despite the popularity of the diet, I discovered Kansas City has very few vegan restaurants. But Kind Food KC, an allvegan restaurant, just opened in Westwood, so I decided to see if this lifestyle was really worth it.

Originally created as a pop-up in the Iron District in North Kansas City before opening a permanent location at 2820 W 47th Ave. Westwood, Kansas, Kind Food follows a strict motto — be kind to yourself through healthy and delicious food while also showing kindness to the animals and planet. The restaurant accommodates special diets and places a focus on giving back to the planet.

Although I don’t follow any diet myself, many of my friends are vegan or vegetarian and will appreciate a restaurant accommodating to their diet. Kind Food gives customers an opportunity to take care of the planet by recycling and composting while enjoying a calm and modern dining experience.

Kind Food KC is a colorful break from its surroundings — you move from concrete sidewalks full of cracks and racing street cars to a bright and cozy restaurant full of mismatched chairs, little plants in mason jars placed at each table and various abstract paintings of plants, animals and people. The off-white walls are decorated

with wood planks and hanging plants that put a modern twist on a bohemian feel.

The TV-menu behind the front counter displays a variety of meals from chips and salsa to a broccoli salad. I was pleasantly surprised at how many different meals they offered, considering the inability to use common ingredients like meat and eggs.

As an added bonus, they had many glutenfree options that made the menu even more accessible to different diets. I debated over a few dishes including a gluten-free BLT wrap with spinach and a flour tortilla and a reuben sandwich, before finally settling for a Southwest Salad with chipotle dressing and guacamole. I didn’t order a drink but they did also offer kuyombucha and New Wave Soda.

After ordering, I found a seat at one of the spaced-out tables in the dining room, which I appreciated because on top of eating earthfriendly foods, I was also not contributing to the spread of the coronavirus. There were also lots of seating options for different sized groups — perfect for families trying out a vegan diet.

Bright red tomatoes, onions, corn and beans made the Southwest Salad a work of art topped off with a guacamole and chipotle dressing. Each ingredient worked together to create the perfect taste — a fresh, and somewhat sweet flavor with the ideal balanced texture between crunchy and chewy. The tomatoes were chopped just enough so that you wouldn’t get an overpowering bite of tomato and there was

a fantastic lettuce to toppings ratio. The guacamole added a softness to the dish that evened out the crunch of the lettuce. The chipotle dressing also gave it a subtle kick of spice that spicy food lovers will drool over.

After finishing my meal, there was a slight hesitation for what to do with the empty dishes, but luckily I spotted a trash station. Before dumping my waste, I noticed that there wasn’t a trash can at all — it was a compost and recycling bin, adding onto Kind Food’s environmentally friendly energy. Directions clarified where to dispose of each dish. The cup that my water was in was recyclable and my napkins were compostable.

K I N D F O O D G I V E S c u st o m e rs a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o t a ke c a re of t h e p l a n et by re c yc l i n g a n d c o m p o st i n g w h i l e e n j oy i n g a calm and modern d i n i n g ex p e r i e n c e .

I left the restaurant pleasantly full and already texting my friends about a new location for our Friday night dinners. My meal cost $10.50 with a $2 tip, which I found fairly reasonable compared to nearby restaurants like Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop and Taco Republic. Calling all vegans, vegetarians and foodies: check out Kind Food the next time you want to eat out — and save the planet all at once.

cafe BREAKDOWN A few statistics about True Food KC

2018

WHEN KIND FOOD WAS

CREATED

LOCATED AT 47TH & MISSION

100%

PLANT BASED

the PRINCIPLES

True Food KC’s guiding principles

1 KINDNESS TO 2 THE PLANET TO 3 KINDNESS EACH OTHER KINDNESS TO ANIMALS

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by sydney newton photo by maggie merckens

Jordan WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND WHY IS IT YOUR NAME? My name is Jordan Johnston. My brother actually named me. He just called me Jordan and it stuck. My middle name is Benigno, which is my dad’s actual name. It comes from the Phillipines.

IF YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY MOVIE FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? “Clueless,” I love the way that [Cher] lives her life, and I want to live my life like that too. I would go shopping like Cher does, and drive like she does, because I drive the exact same way. I feel like we live very similar lifestyles, but also very different at the same time. Her lifestyle is so lavish, and everybody wants that lifestyle.

DOES YOUR CAR HAVE A NAME? Yes. I drive a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle. It’s named Vinnie, like Vinnie for Volkswagen. I think it’s so cute. I love my car. It goes really fast. But she leaks a lot of oil, which is the downside of it.

IF YOU COULD BRING BACK ANY FASHION TREND, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Bell bottoms. I just love them. I like the way that they look on people. They are such a fashion statement, and just so cute.

I feel like it was a staple fashion, everyone had at least one pair. The Instagram photos with the bell bottoms could be so cute.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD OBSESSIONS? I’ve been obsessed with “Euphoria.” I don’t know why, but something about that show does it for me. As soon as it hits 8 o’clock on Sundays, I am in bed watching that show.

The show shows how some teens actually live their lives. It shows the real side effects of drug use and other things.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWERS, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOSE AND WHY? Teleportation. I could go to Bora Bora in the matter of two seconds and then be back for school the next day. That would be so cool. I would teleport to random people houses and scare them. I feel like would be so funny.

I would also use it to help people. If I see someone in danger, I would teleport and stop them. Superhero kind of stuff. I like helping people. On Friday nights me and my parents go out and feed the homeless. I would love to use the power for good.

LOCAL LANCERS 25

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perpetua everlasting

everlasting jewelry by design

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SPORTS 27

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by anna mitchell

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS A look at winter sports, the spring sports tryouts and winter Olympics

GO-TO WATCH

SPORTS IN ACTION

FRESHMAN

Students favorite winter Olympic sport to watch and why

LOLA CONDON ICE SKATING

“ I t ’s m o re t e c h n i c a l a n d e n j oya b l e t o watch.”

GRAHAM MOSHER JUNIOR

SLALOM SKIING

" I t ' s i m p re s s i ve t o s e e t h e m d o d g e t h ro u g h all the flags and how fa st t h ey g o . "

HENTON THE OLYMPIAN T O P S e n i o r P a t r i c k B e rg ka m p la u g h s a n d lo o ks a t t h e va rs i t y b a s e b a l l c o a c h w h e n At h let i c D i re cto r D e b by Ka t z f y a n n o u n c e s B e r kam p’s favo r i te bas e ball m e m o r y .

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE EMLEY

ARO UND T HE CO RNE R

Dates and times for upcoming spring sport tryouts

A B O V E Sophomore J o ey H of f m a n d r i ve s p a st Rockhurst’s defense a n d s c o re s a la y u p , ta k i n g t h e lea d in th ird qu ar ter . PHOTO BY HADLEY CHAPMAN

FEB. 28 - MARCH 4: SPRING SPORT TRYOUTS MON.

28

FEB.

COLOR CODE: GRADE

B O T T O M S o p h o m o re E t h a n Wo lt ka m p w ra p s h i s le g s a ro u n d h i s o p p o n e nt a n d p i n s h i m to t h e m at , w i n n i n g t h e ro u n d.

PHOTO BY MACY CROSSER

BASEBALL 09 @3-4:30 10-11 @3:45-5

TUES.

MARCH

WED.

1

THURS.

2

MARCH

MARCH

3

FRI.

MARCH

4

Q A

Teacher Alex Henton and his thoughts about Olympic curling as a curler himself

A S A C U R L E R , H OW D O E S T H E W I N T E R O LY M P I C S A F F E CT YO U ?

I s u p p o s e I fe e l a b i t of a st ro n g e r c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e W i nt e r O ly m p i c s b e c a u s e I fe e l l i ke I h a ve a d e e p e r u n d e rst a n d i n g of w h a t i t t a ke s t o g et t h e re . E s p e c i a l ly w i t h c u r l i n g b e c a u s e o n t h e s u r fa c e i t s e e m s l i ke a s i m p l e s p o r t , b u t i t ’s n ot e a sy a t a l l .

Q A

W H AT C O U N T RY H A S T H E B E ST TAC TIC FOR CURLING THIS YEAR? WHY?

GIRL’S SWIM & DIVE @3-5

SOFTBALL @3-5:15

GIRL’S SOCCER @3-5:15

TRACK & FIELD @3-5

BOY’S GOLF @3-5

BOY’S TENNIS @3-6

F o r b ot h m e n a n d w o m e n , S w e d e n a n d C a n a d a a re a lw a y s t o u g h . U S A i s t h e d efe n d i n g g o l d m e d a l i st fo r m e n , s o t h ey h a ve a h u g e t a rg et o n t h e i r b a c k a n d m o re p re s s u re t h a n t h ey ’ ve eve r h a d . T h e U S w o m e n ’s t e a m h a s l o o ke d st ro n g e a r ly o n s o t h ey m a y h a ve a s h ot a t a m e d a l t h i s ye a r .

28 SPORTS

THE HARBINGER

ONTOP

design by bridget connelly photos by claire goettsch

BACK

by tr i stan chabani s 10 EVENTS. TWO DAYS. 12 RED GATORADES.

Senior Alex Blickhan was competing in the decathlon qualifier in Bentonville, Arkansas — the biggest one of his life.

After all, qualifying for the Junior Olympics was at stake. But he wasn’t trying to win. He didn’t care where he placed.

Blickhan would be competing in five different field events ranging from the javelin to pole vault. It would take technique, speed and stamina to finish the decathlon including a 100yard dash and the mile. After recently suffering two stress fractures due to overuse, he wasn’t a favorite and was more worried about finishing the decathlon at all.

He placed fourth. He was going to the Junior Olympics.

After only five months in a back brace.

de•cath•lon

a n a t h l et i c eve nt t a k i n g p l a c e ove r t w o d a y s , i n w h i c h e a c h c o m p et i t o r t a ke s p a r t i n t h e s a m e t e n eve nt s

T O P S en io r Alex B l ic k h a n w i n d s u p to t h row a s h ot p u t .

ABOVE

S en io r Alex B l i c kh a n sta rt s of f h i s d a s h .W

what’s in a

DECATHLON?

Ten events that Blickhan did when he went to the Junior Olympics

JUMPS

TRACK

pole vault

100-meter dash 400-meter run 1500-meter run 110-meter hurdles

long jump high jump

FIELD

javelin discus shot put

“I had no intention of winning because coming off of an injury like that, with only three months [of preparation], there’s no shot I’m gonna play super well,” Blickhan said. “I’m not there to play well, I’m there for myself just to show that I can come back, that I can do it.”

Growing up, he was always good, but not great. He had tried every event — from the 400-yard dash to shot put. For each, he was skilled enough to start on JV, but never varsity.

His ability to compete in so many events led him and his coach J.T. Collor to realize he should do them all — the decathlon was perfect.

His training for the decathlon began freshman year.

However, he suffered two stress fractures in his back due to overworking himself, just nine months before he was meant to attend the qualifiers. He would be confined to a back brace for the next four months, unable to do any sort of physical activity.

“He was so thoroughly sidelined,” Alex’s mother Tammy Blickhan said. “He was not just unable to [run], but in actual pain and a back brace. It was kind of otherworldly, honestly.”

Blickhan was forced to lay around at home, learning to play chess and mastering board games. He’d gaze out his bedroom window as runners ran their routes down his street, longing to join them.

The effects of his injuries weren’t just surface level. He loved training for the decathlon, and the sport became his passion — but also therapy. When school work began to build up, Blickhan would take to the track and release his stress through running.

A freedom that had been stripped from him.

“Mentally, it was pretty tough,” Blickhan said. “Track was my escape, it’s what I do to work off stress. Not having that option just made [life] a lot harder. So my mental health definitely took a hit there. It just hurts to not be able to do what you love for half a year.”

In addition to losing all physical outlets to work off stress,

Senior Alex Blickhan competed in the 2021 Summer Junior Olympics following severe back injury

Blickhan suffered his injury in April, just as the COVID-19 lockdown began. Not only could he not run, but he couldn’t see friends anymore either.

“I just couldn’t really do anything,” Blickhan said. “There was no school, seeing people was a lot harder. I honestly just didn’t know what to do with myself, I didn’t know what to do.

It was a struggle.”

Throughout the hardship, Blickhan remained hopeful.

Finally, after four months in a brace and two months of strenuous physical therapy, he was cleared to return to the track.

“I wouldn’t have blamed him if he decided to quit after that,” Collor said. “But he really showed tremendous heart to come out of the injury and get right back into it.”

Blickhan remembers his shoes setting foot on the reddish rubber for the first time in six months and the sweat pouring down his face on his first day back in March. But more than anything, he remembers feeling frightened.

“I was scared because I’m thinking, ‘What if [my back] is not healed,’” Blickhan said. “’What if I take a wrong step and tweak it wrong? One bad discus throw and my back is going to break.’ It’s a lot to carry on your shoulders.”

But Blickham didn’t get hurt. If anything, he got better.

By putting a focus on technique rather than the quantity of practice, he knew exactly what he had to do to succeed.

Three months following his injury, he competed in another decathlon, but this time as a Junior Olympian in Houston under 105-degree heat. When Blickhan thinks about those two days of competition, he thinks of two words: overheated and drained.

T R AC K WA S M Y e s c a p e , i t ’s w h a t I d o t o w o r k of f s t re s s . N ot h a v i n g t h a t o pt i o n j u st m a d e [ l i fe ] h a rd e r .

ALEX BLICKHAN

SENIOR

It was a sight to see for Blickhan’s parents. Leaning forward across the finish line to save a few milliseconds, Blickhan jogged a few meters then flung his back on the track and laid on the ground for a few minutes.

He did it. He had competed in the Junior Olympics.

“We were bawling and cheering and screaming when he finished,” Tammy said. “That was just a mountaintop moment for us as parents. It’s really amazing to see your kid do well at the thing they love. The heart and the motivation he had to get to that point was incredible.”

Blickhan placed 25th out of 48 athletes in the Junior Olympics, something unfathomable had become his reality.

“I was really just happy to have the chance to compete, and will never take that for granted,” Blickhan said. “Five months before I couldn’t have imagined having the chance to be [at the junior olympics much less place within the top 25.”

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 design by paige zadoo

ALL HE DOES IS WIN by lucy wolf

T

HEN-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Andrew Gibbs sat waiting for his sister’s soccer game to end. He was bored. Desperate to find something to fill his time with, he and a friend wandered to a nearby park, where he found tennis courts with an abandoned racket and tennis balls all over the ground, almost as if they were waiting to be hit. Him and his friend decided to try it out.

That was the first of many days Gibbs would spend playing tennis. He and that same friend started consistently hitting the ball back and forth between one another that day.

They would bike to each other’s houses on the daily, head to the park and play for hours.

His seven-year-old self would’ve never believed that day would lead him to one day being named National Federation of High School Selection Coach of the Year.

As Gibbs grew older, he joined his town’s version of a Junior Tennis League, before continuing this passion in high school.

High school tennis was important to Gibbs, but the team wasn’t into it like Gibbs was. Gibbs and his high school teammates were strong individually, but as a team the success rate was non-existent, losing every team match for as long as he could remember.

That was until Gibbs’ junior year of high school when their tennis team broke their losing streak of four years and finally won — altogether.

“Growing up surrounded and playing with competitive higher-skilled tennis players, that’s when I would grow the most,” Gibbs said.

While Gibbs always loved tennis, he also loved English, one of his passions along with teaching, coaching and tennis. Teaching was always what he wanted to do with his career, and he decided he wanted to pursue a degree in English. His love for the subject has stuck with him, as he currently teaches English 4, AP Literature and IB Theory of Knowledge at East.

Teaching gave Gibbs a new opportunity — coaching high school tennis. While at East, Gibbs has been the girls and boys head coach for the past six years, and he was the assistant coach for a year before that. For Gibbs,

WORDS OF WISDOM Gibbs’s advice to coaching his players

coaching has always doubled with teaching.

The team’s motivation to stay consistent and perform well is the reason that Gibbs enjoys coaching as much as he does. Being able to share a love for something with his students and players is what makes it above all special.

“I enjoy seeing them have a place to be a part of something,” Gibbs said. “And getting to provide that place is the best feeling.”

When reflecting on his years coaching, Gibbs realizes that his experience with tennis as a child combined with his coaching experience at East has changed his perspective on life. When he first walked into practice, he thought that everyone would be at nearly the same skill level, but according to Gibbs, he very quickly realized that everyone was coming in with different skill sets and experiences with the sport.

R E A S O N S L I K E T H E S E a re w hy C o a c h G i b b s i s t h e m o st d e s e r v i n g p e rs o n fo r t h e N F H S C o a c h of t h e Ye a r Aw a rd

BRIDGET EPSTEIN SENIOR Seeing the wide range of talent motivated Gibbs to dedicate himself to each and every student who was willing to work for it. For him, it didn’t matter what team they were on.

Whether it was JV or varsity, he was willing to give them a positive mind set in the hopes to help find the same love for tennis he had discovered so young.

Senior Bridget Epstein has been a member of varsity, and one of the top six players on the team since her freshman year. Her connection with Gibbs has grown ever since they first met freshman year when she started playing tennis for East.

“Gibbs believes in us,” Epstein said. “He wants us to do the best we can, but not under the pressure other coaches would give, this is why he’s such a great coach.”

East’s state team has won three years in a row, and picking the six players who participate in it is one of the most important parts of Gibbs’ role. It’s the most competitive

1 2 surround yourself with great people

part of the year and a huge validation of the team’s hard work, according to Epstein.

Being a part of varsity tennis along with the top six players on the team all four years throughout high school is something that she is very grateful for, according to Epstein. It made her realize how difficult Gibbs’ job really is with everyone on tennis being stronglyskilled. Getting to have the opportunity to be a part of the top six made her work that much harder to keep improving and to keep her spot on the team.

“You need to be thankful for every match you get the opportunity for,” Epstein said.

“You have to play like it’s your last each time.”

During December of 2021, Gibbs was overly surprised to have received the NFHS Coach of the Year award for girls tennis. The Midwest states include Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Though the selection of this award was a long process, Gibbs was shocked due to the other coaches in the running with excellent success.

According to Gibbs, the award shows a recognition of the program, players and families supporting, rather than a recognition of himself as an individual.

“The whole team and I were very happy for Coach Gibbs,” junior and varsity tennis player Greta Stechshulte said. “Gibbs is the most deserving person for this award, his dedication for sharing the love he has for tennis projects throughout the whole team.”

The NFHS Coach of the Year award was a great way to show off Gibbs and everything he does for the East and overall tennis community, according to Stechshulte.

High school tennis can be a lonely sport, playing singles out on the court by yourself, according to Epstein. But, to her, having a coach there for you in general as well as hitting tennis balls with you while you’re practicing, is what makes tennis so much more enjoyable for her and everyone else.

“Reasons like these are why Coach Gibbs is the most deserving person for the NFHS Coach of the Year award,” Epstein said.

no individual is greater than a team

3

SPORTS 29 Tennis coach Andrew Gibbs recieves NFSHA Midwest Coach of the Year award

GIBBS’S

TROPHY CASE

Gibbs’s greatest achievements as a tennis coach

NFSHA

MIDWEST COACH OF YEAR

3

BACK-TO-BACK GIRLS STATE

2

BACK-TO-BACK BOYS STATE

4 5

help players maximize their potential

every player is unique

stick to your programs priorities

GROWTH IN MINDSET

30 SPORTS

AND MUSCLE

THE HARBINGER design by nora lynn photos by liv madden

In a journey to improve his self image, Senior Noah Gould but found that he improved his mental health and daily habits as well

by emma krau se

L

OOKING IN THE gym mirror, 5’ 11” and

185-pound senior Noah Gould marveled at the progress he’s made since his 5’6”-and120-pound junior self.

Going into track season his first year, Gould was on the smaller side. Since he competed in the discus and shot put events, he needed to gain more muscle mass. He needed to get big. And he did.

After thousands of push-ups, sit-ups and crunches to bulk for sports, Gould had accomplished his goal and was running two times faster and throwing twice as far. But instead of mellowing out, he was hooked, continuing to work out for a different reason — body image.

He started a workout group last summer with his friend from shot put, senior Noah Crew, who also had the desire to improve his confidence by becoming physically built.

Six other of their friends joined and they began working out in Crew’s basement five or six days a week to avoid the cost of a gym membership. Gould and Crew would coach the group and give them tips and advice which not only benefited the members but also Gould and Crew.

Now their fitness group is more independent and follows self-set routines, and everyone has grown to a point of figuring out what works best for them and can work on their own. For Gould, it’s turned from a coaching experience and helping friends with workouts to a group that works out together on about the same level. Gould stopped coaching and working out with that group in September and now does his own workouts and routines.

Gould’s diet and daily routine have drastically changed since he started focusing on fitness. His diet focuses around a higher food intake and making sure he’s had a sufficient amount of calories — usually around 4,000-5,000 daily.

“I have a naturally very fast metabolism, which means I burn through calories no matter how much I try and it’s really difficult to keep on weight,” Gould said. “Like I can eat whatever I want, and I wouldn’t be

able to put on fat because my body doesn’t let me.

So in pursuit of changing myself, my main difference from my old diet is that it’s a lot more calories and a lot more protein.”

G o u l d ’ s schedule has grown to be almost always packed. Though on the rare occasion where he has a good chunk of time, he’ll head to the Roeland Park Community Center gym around 3:30 p.m. after getting a quick snack from home.

When he arrives, he’s greeted by the silence of the community fitness room.

“It’s a quiet little gym,” Gould said.

“It’s not the most high-tech but it’s got

I T WA S S O u n h e a lt hy a n d n o w I’m so much happ i e r g ett i n g o u t d o i n g p hy s i c a l a c t i v i t y a n d i m p rov i n g my s e lf . S o i t ’s m o re t h a n j u st l i ke a p hy s i c a l m u s c u l a r i t y c h a n g e .

I t ’s a c h a n g e of m i n d s et a n d c h a n g e of g e n e ra l well being.

NOAH GOULD

SENIOR

everything you need and it’s always empty, which is what I love.”

His typical routine starts with him spending 15 minutes warming up with two or three different movements and stretches to make sure everything’s moving properly.

Then, he jumps into lifting with heavier compound movements for about four sets of about 30-45 minutes. Next, he’ll go into machines, cables and more isolated exercises for another 30-45 minutes.

“Usually I only go for about an hour and a

half,” Gould s a i d .

“Because with multiple sports and workout sessions five days a week, if I go to those 2-3 hour sessions, I will just be dying and it’s not smart. Too much strain on joints and the stuff that can break.”

Gould looks to online coaches for workout tips along with new routines.

He currently watches Denzel Perryman, a professional lifter who’s also in the NFL, for fitness and nutritional advice. He also watches JPG, a TikTok fitness coach, for his expertise on cable movements and other fitness related things. Gould’s fitness inspiration is Chris Bumstead, a three-time Mr. Olympia champion.

“There were times I wanted to drop it,” Gould said. “Because being in IB and volleyball and all of these things, I have a lot on my plate. And so there are times where I thought it’d be so much easier on myself if I just didn’t push to work out, but honestly, the result is worth it. Being able to look at myself in the mirror and just know I made a change, and I’m proud of that. That’s what keeps me going is being happy with the way I look and happy with the way I feel.”

Although he doesn’t track his progress as closely as other people he knows, he can tell that he’s physically changed but mentally as well. He went from playing video games for six hours per day to not being able to imagine himself picking up a controller.

“It was so unhealthy, and now I’m so much happier getting out, doing physical activity and improving myself,” Gould said.

“So it’s more than just a physical muscularity change. It’s a change of mindset and change of

general w e l l being.”

G o u l d ’s advice to any student or person who’s toying with the idea of starting to workout more and exercising more is to “go for it.”

“So many people hesitate and they’re like ‘I’m scared of gyms,’ ‘there are intimidating people,’ ‘I don’t really know what to do,” Gould said. “Just go for it. Get in the gym, find a weight and start lifting it.

It’s a learning process. You learn as you go.

You can’t prepare yourself for it in a way it’s not something you can ensure you can do research online but you really won’t know what feels right until you get into the gym.

And from there, it’s just learning as you go.”

FEBURARY 18, 2022 design by maggie merckens

BUMP, SET, R

PHOTOSTORY 31

SHARE held a volleyball tournament on Feb. 9 to collect toilet paper for Uplift KC, an organization that donates to the homeless

L E F T Senior Courtenay Tetrick, one of the share exe c s h ost i n g th e vol ley b a l l tournament, ex p la i n s t h e s i m p le ru les for th e tournament. “We tried to keep the rules very minimal a n d ea sy a s we know not everyone has played volleyball before,” Tetrick said. PHOTO

BY CHARLOTTE EMLEY

T O P L E F T The tea m , S p i ke I t L i ke I t ’s H ot , g a t h e rs fo r a te a m huddle to discuss th e i r n ex t m a tc h . “ We we re ta l k i n g a b o u t our positions and to g et t h e e n e rg y g o i n g fo r o u r f i rst m a tc h , ” Junio r E mily Winter s a i d . PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE EMLEY

A B O V E Jun i o r E m i ly W i nte r s et s the ball up fo r j u n i o r J u l i a F i l l m o re so she can h i t i t ove r t h e n et . “ We finally got th e t i m i n g d ow n a f te r we warmed u p a n d g ot p o i nt s of f ou r h its,” Winte r s a i d . PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE EMLEY

A B O V E Junior Samson Eby stretches out j u n i o r Matthew Bolinger’s quad to warm t h e m u p for th eir f irst ma tch . “Th e f irst ma tch we nt well but we got out in the second m atch u nfortu n a tely ,” Eby sa id . PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE EMLEY

SCAN ME • PHOTO A B O V E J u n i o r G ra h a m M o s h e r p re p a re s to s e r ve t h e g a m e p o i nt w h i le lo o k i n g d ow n t h e c o u r t at h i s te am m ate s . PHOTO BY LYDIA COE

Scan this QR c o d e t o p u rc h a s e photos on Harbie Photo

32 ALT-COPY

THE HARBINGER

HE A LT H Y

WHAT IS ASA LH? Association for the Study of African American Life and History — the association credited with creating each year’s Black History Month theme.

WHY?

to bring light to the ways black representation, identity and diversity has been revered, stereotyped and vilified

THE E VOLUT IO N

1960

1976

202 2

WHY?

B LACK MI GRATI ONS WHY?

C a r te r G . Wo o d s o n c re a te d N e g ro H i sto r y We e k i n Fe b r ua r y 1 92 6

emphasized the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and social realities — focusing especially on the 20th century to present day

T h e m o nt h of F e b ru a r y wa s c h o s e n b e c a u s e t h e s e c o n d we e k of t h e m o nt h c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e b i r t h d a ys of A b ra h a m L i n c o l n a n d F re d r i c k D o u g la s s — b ot h p r im a r y f i g u re s i n t h e f i g ht to e nd s la ve r y

BL AC K H EALT H AN D W EL L N ES S

T h e h o l i d a y evo lve d i nto B la c k H i sto r y M o nt h by the la te 60 ’s P re s i d e nt G e ra ld R . F o rd of f i c i a l ly Bla c k Hi stor y M onth i n 1976

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE VOTE

the year marked the centennial of the 19th amendment and the culmination of the wom en ’s s u f f rage m ovem ent

How Black History Month has evolved since it’s creation

1926

2021

THE BLACK FAMILY

2020

With this year’s Black History Month theme being black health and wellness, here’s a background of Black History Month, the meaning of this year’s theme and ways you can support the community

B EH I N D T H E T H EM ES

The most recent Black History Month themes and their meanings

2019

WELL &

design and copy by sophie henschel *information courtesy of npr.org and davenport libraries

“

re c o g n i ze d

S i n c e 1 976 , eve r y U . S . p re s i d e nt h a s re - d e s i g n a te d the m onth of Fe b r ua r y as B lack H i sto r y M o nt h A S A L H d e s i g n a te s a n ew t h e m e fo r B la c k H i sto r y M o nt h e a c h ye a r , ke e p i n g t h e p ra ct i c e s t h a t Wood son e sta bli she d fo r N e gro H i sto r y We e k

ASALH’s statement about this year’s Black History Month theme

T H I S T H E M E AC K N OW L E D G E S t h e l e g a c y of n ot o n ly B l a c k s c h o l a rs a n d m e d i c a l p ra c t i t i o n e rs i n We st e r n m e d i c i n e , b u t a l s o ot h e r w a y s of k n o w i n g ( e . g . , b i r t hw o r ke rs , d o u l a s , m i d w i ve s , n a t u ro p a t h s , h e r b a l i st s , et c . ) t h ro u g h o u t t h e Af r i c a n D i a s p o ra . T h e 2 0 2 2 t h e m e c o n s i d e rs a c t i v i t i e s , r i t u a l s a n d i n i t i a t i ve s t h a t B l a c k c o m m u n i t i e s h a ve d o n e t o b e w e l l .

ASALH WEBSITE STATEMENT REGARDING THIS YEAR’S THEME STATEMENT

S U PP O R T I N G BL AC K HE A LTH A N D WE L L N E S S LOC AL LY

1 8 1 8 M c G e e St Ka n s a s C it y , MO 6 410 8

M O SS BO SS KC A PPA R E L C O . onl i ne we b s i te

AMIRACLE BO DY BUTTERS SK I NC A R E C O. onl i ne we b s i te

PINKLIPPS

C OS M ET I C S

M AK E UP

WOR KOU T

FITNE SS STUDIO

S K INC AR E

Q U EEN V IB ES KC

R ETA IL T H E R APY

Local black-owned business to visit this month that support health and wellness

o n lin e website & fo u n d in select Targets